IPL 2026: David's explosive 70, Padikkal-Patidar blitz power RCB to 43-run rout of CSK
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Bengaluru: Tim David, Rajat Patidar, and Devdutt Padikkal's fireworks, backed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 3-41, powered defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a dominant 43-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
RCB's batters shredded CSK's attack to post 250/3—the highest total of IPL 2026—fueled by David's unbeaten 70 off 25 (second IPL fifty in 21 balls), Patidar's 48* off 19, and Padikkal's 50 off 29 (his second straight fifty). David and Patidar's unbroken 99-run stand off 35 balls featured jaw-dropping hitting, including David's three sixes off Noor Ahmad and four sixes plus a four off Jamie Overton in the 19th over (30 runs conceded). Their late surge added 97 runs in the final five overs, even drawing a standing ovation from Virat Kohli in the dugout.
RCB started steadily after CSK opted to field. Phil Salt (46 off 30) and Kohli (28 off 18) handled early swing from Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry, with Kohli smashing a six and two fours before falling to Anshul Kamboj. Salt departed to Shivam Dube, and Padikkal—dropped early by Ruturaj Gaikwad—accelerated with three fours and two sixes off Dube and Henry before Overton bowled him attempting a lap shot at 151/3.
In the chase, CSK crumbled under pressure, bowled out for 207 in 19.4 overs. Sarfaraz Khan's 50 off 24 and Prashant Veer's 43 off 29 offered resistance, but Bhuvneshwar (his 200th IPL wicket included) struck early, removing Ayush Mhatre and later Veer and Overton (37 off 16). Jacob Duffy got Gaikwad and Sanju Samson; Krunal Pandya dismissed Sarfaraz and Kartik Sharma at 84/5; Abhinandan Singh (2-30) and Suyash Sharma sealed it. This victory marks RCB's first four straight wins over CSK in IPL history.
Brief Scores: RCB 250/3 in 20 overs (Tim David 70*, Devdutt Padikkal 50, Rajat Patidar 48*; Shivam Dube 1-30, Jamie Overton 1-42) beat CSK 207 in 19.4 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 50, Prashant Veer 43; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-41, Abhinandan Singh 2-30) by 43 runs.
(Inputs from IANS)
