Royal Challengers Bengaluru added a social media dig to their on-field dominance after posting “49/3 (6 overs)” on X during Punjab Kings’ innings in their IPL 2026 clash on Sunday.The post appeared to be a response to Punjab Kings’ social media post from April 28, when PBKS had posted “49/1 (4.3 overs)” during a match against Delhi Capitals. The “49” reference is linked to RCB’s collapse against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2017, when Bengaluru were bowled out for 49 — still the lowest total in IPL history while chasing 132.On the field, RCB secured a playoff spot with a 23-run win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.Half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, along with an early spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, helped RCB dominate the contest.Virat Kohli scored 58 off 37 balls, while Iyer remained unbeaten on 73 off 40 deliveries. Devdutt Padikkal also contributed 45 as RCB posted 222/4 in 20 overs.In reply, Punjab Kings were reduced to 19/3 inside four overs after Bhuvneshwar removed openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh cheaply.Pacer Rasikh Salam added to Punjab’s problems by dismissing skipper Shreyas Iyer for 1.Punjab Kings later fought back through Shashank Singh, who made 56 off 27 balls, and Marcus Stoinis, who scored 37 off 25 deliveries, but the target proved too steep as PBKS finished on 199/8.Earlier, Kohli and Padikkal added 76 runs for the second wicket before Kohli and Venkatesh stitched together another 60-run stand for the third wicket to set up RCB’s total.
