RCB Edge MI in Last-Ball Thriller After MI Fielding Mix-Up

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Mumbai Indians on the final ball of their IPL 2026 match in Raipur, capitalizing on a crucial fielding error by Mumbai in the 18th over. With RCB needing 30 runs off 18 balls and Krunal Pandya at the crease, a lofted shot toward wide long-on led to a miscommunication between Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma; Dhir caught the ball near the rope and parried it to Varma, who failed to complete the relay, sparking debate over whether the ball had crossed the boundary.

The third umpire reviewed the play and ruled it not a six, with no run attempted, but the lapse allowed Pandya to remain at the crease and hit two sixes off AM Ghazanfar in the same over, shifting momentum to RCB. Ghazanfar later dismissed Pandya on the final delivery of the over, with Tilak Varma taking a spectacular juggling catch while staying inside the boundary, ending Pandya's 46-ball 73.

Jasprit Bumrah held the 19th over to just three runs, leaving RCB requiring 15 off the final six. Mumbai's Raj Bawa bowled the last over and was hit for the winning runs on the final delivery, sealing a dramatic win for RCB.

The match marked one of the most intense finishes of IPL 2026, with Mumbai failing to defend a tight total despite key interventions. RCB's next match is against Chennai Super Kings on Friday, while MI face Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad on Thursday.