RCB Face Playoff Push After Middle-Order Collapse Deepens

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face mounting pressure to stabilise their campaign after losing two consecutive matches, slipping to fourth on the IPL 2026 points table with six wins and four losses. Their upcoming fixture against Mumbai Indians in Raipur has become pivotal as their middle-order struggles and bowling inconsistencies threaten their title defence.

RCB's batters from No. 4 to No. 8 averaged 39.30 at a strike rate of 190.77 in the first five matches but have since collapsed to an average of 21 and strike rate of 148.58 in the next five, the worst among all teams during that period. Jitesh Sharma has scored 64 runs at 8.00, Romario Shepherd 79 at 26.33, and Tim David has been forced up the order due to failures down the lineup.

The absence of Phil Salt, who scored 202 runs in six matches before a finger injury ended his season, has disrupted the top order. Jacob Bethell, his replacement, has managed only 43 runs in four innings. Bowling returns have also declined: Josh Hazlewood has an economy of 11.68 in losses, while spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma took 11 wickets in the first five games but only five in the next five, with their combined average rising to 42.16.

Virat Kohli remains in strong form, scoring 379 runs at a strike rate of 164.06, his highest in an IPL season. However, RCB have lost all four matches where Kohli faced fewer than 30 balls, underscoring his importance to the innings. In contrast, RCB have won 18 of the 20 games since IPL 2024 when Kohli has faced more than 30 deliveries.

RCB will assess team combinations ahead of their match against Mumbai Indians in Raipur, with officials indicating selection changes are under consideration. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.