IPL 2026: RR vs RCB Updates: RR cruise towards victory

Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought back into the attack as the chase edges closer to its finish for Rajasthan Royals.

Dhruv Jurel starts well, picking up a couple of runs before easing another delivery towards long-on for a single. Ravindra Jadeja keeps things ticking with a straightforward single.

There's a brief moment of concern as Jurel appears to struggle with cramp after completing a run and goes down on the pitch. The physio rushes in, but he soon looks ready to continue.

He then benefits from a misfield by Jacob Bethell and adds two more runs. After a quick check on a wide appeal, Jurel continues the over and rotates strike with a single off the final ball.

Seven runs come from it, and after 17 overs, RR are 191/4, needing 11 from 18 balls.

Romario Shepherd brought into the attack as the chase nears its climax for Rajasthan Royals.

Dhruv Jurel works one towards deep mid-wicket for a single, before Ravindra Jadeja also rotates strike with a single. The batters keep things ticking with smart running between the wickets.

Jurel then drives one towards long-on for a couple, before another single closes out the over.

Seven runs come from it, and after 16 overs, RR are 184/4, needing 18 from 24 balls.

Abhinandan Singh brought back into the attack as the chase moves into a crucial phase for Rajasthan Royals.

Ravindra Jadeja starts by stepping forward and driving one for a single. Dhruv Jurel then responds with a boundary, despite a going-down-the-leg wide in the over.

Jurel also gets a slice of luck--an outside edge flies past a diving Jitesh Sharma for four runs. He then rotates strike with a single towards deep backward square leg.

Jadeja adds another run after a wide, while Jurel keeps the scoreboard moving with a push to long-on.

A strong over again--14 runs come from it, and after 15 overs, RR are 177/4, needing 25 from 30 balls.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru turn back to Krunal Pandya.

Ravindra Jadeja gets a slice of luck as he edges one for a boundary--his first after 24 balls. He then settles into rotation, nudging one off the back foot for a single.

Dhruv Jurel keeps things moving with a couple of runs and a quick single, before Jadeja closes the over with another single. Nine runs come from it, and after 13 overs, RR are 154/4, needing 48 from 42 balls.

Josh Hazlewood is back to finish his spell, and there's an early shout for LBW--but it's turned down. RCB go for the review, but ball tracking shows it pitching well outside leg. Jadeja survives.

Dhruv Jurel then pulls one expertly for four, moving to 49, before bringing up a well-made fifty off 25 balls--his second of the season.

There's also a near run-out chance, with Jadeja well short had the throw hit, but RCB miss it. Jurel adds another single, and Jadeja finishes the over with one more down to deep third.

Nine runs from the over again, and after 14 overs, RR are 163/4, needing 39 from 36 balls.

Krunal Pandya continue his spell as the pressure builds on Rajasthan Royals.

Ravindra Jadeja starts the over by getting down on one knee and paddling it fine for a couple of runs. Krunal then surprises him with a sharp bouncer, and Jadeja does well to duck under it.

He follows it up with a full delivery on middle and Jadeja works it for a single. Dhruv Jurel then chops one towards backward point but doesn't get a run.

Just 4 runs come off the over, and after 11 overs, RR are 141/4, needing 61 from 54 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar return to the attack as the chase tightens for Rajasthan Royals.

Dhruv Jurel presses half forward and punches one towards long-on for a single. Ravindra Jadeja then defends one straight back to the bowler.

Jadeja works another delivery past mid-wicket for a couple of runs, before adjusting to the bounce and nudging one towards mid-wicket, where it is fielded cleanly.

Just a single comes off the final ball.

Only 4 runs from the over, and after 12 overs, Rajasthan Royals are 145/4, needing 57 from 48 balls.

Josh Hazlewood back into the attack as the pressure keeps building on Rajasthan Royals.

Riyan Parag starts positively, getting up on his toes and nudging one for a single. Dhruv Jurel follows up with a controlled swivel pull for another run.

But then comes the big moment--Parag looks to go big over long-on but mistimes it completely. Krunal Pandya makes no mistake, and RR lose another key wicket at a crucial stage.

Parag departs for 3 off 5 balls, and suddenly the game is shifting.

Ravindra Jadeja walks in at No. 6 and gets off the mark with a couple of runs. A single follows to end the over.

Just 5 runs and a wicket come from it, and after 10 overs, Rajasthan Royals are 137/4, needing 65 from 60 balls.

Tim David is handed the ball, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru trying everything to slow down the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi onslaught.

Dhruv Jurel greets him with a boundary, before rotating strike with a single towards deep mid-wicket.

Then Sooryavanshi takes charge again--calmly working one back to the bowler before unleashing pure power. He brings up a stunning 100-run stand and follows it with another massive six. What a display!

He finishes the over with a single, with 18 runs coming off it. After 8 overs, Rajasthan Royals are 129/1, needing 73 from 72 balls.

But the breakthrough finally arrives.

Krunal Pandya continues, and Sooryavanshi's incredible innings comes to an end--caught by Virat Kohli!

He departs for a sensational 78 off just 26 balls, bringing an end to a breathtaking knock in Guwahati.

Guwahati has just witnessed a record-breaking powerplay for Rajasthan Royals--their highest-ever IPL powerplay total.

Krunal Pandya comes into the attack as the assault continues.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi works one towards deep mid-wicket for a single, before Dhruv Jurel joins in with a clean boundary over mid-wicket.

Jurel keeps it simple next ball, knocking it to long-on for an easy single, while Sooryavanshi rotates strike again with a push to deep mid-wicket.

And then comes the statement shot--Sooryavanshi launches another six! That takes him to 111 runs after just 7 overs.

It's fearless batting, and it doesn't matter if it's pace or spin--nothing seems to stop him tonight.

RR now need 91 runs from 78 balls.

Abhinandan Singh comes on to bowl the final over of the powerplay.

Dhruv Jurel joins the party in style--he starts with a crisp boundary and follows it up with a massive six. The pressure only fuels his aggression as he adds another four soon after.

He briefly miscues one off the front foot towards cover, but quickly regains control, launching another towering six into the stands.

He finishes the over with yet another boundary.

What an over for Rajasthan Royals--24 runs from it! After 6 overs, they are 97/1, needing 105 from 84 balls.

Guwahati is witnessing something special as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues his incredible assault on the bowling of Josh Hazlewood.

Dhruv Jurel starts the over by nudging one towards mid-off and scampers through for a quick single to rotate strike.

Then Sooryavanshi takes over again--this time going after Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well. He stands tall and launches one cleanly over mid-on for a huge six.

And that brings up a sensational half-century--50 off just 15 balls! Even though Phil Salt manages to get a hand to it at long leg, he steps onto the cushion, adding to the drama.

Sooryavanshi then briefly loses timing on one and plays it back to the bowler, before finishing the over with yet another boundary.

Seventeen runs come from the over, and after 5 overs, Rajasthan Royals are 73/1, needing 129 from 90 balls.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Josh Hazlewood stays on.

Dhruv Jurel opens the face of the bat and guides one into the off side for a single, giving strike to Sooryavanshi--and what follows is pure fireworks.

Sooryavanshi launches into a hat-trick of boundaries, timing the ball beautifully and putting immediate pressure on the bowler. He then caps the over in style with a massive six to finish things off.

Nineteen runs come from the over, and after 4 overs, Rajasthan Royals are 56/1.

Sooryavanshi is in sensational touch, already on 41 off just 13 balls, with RR needing 146 from 96 deliveries.

Dhruv Jurel walk in at No. 3 after the early wicket.

Abhinandan Singh comes into the attack, and there's an early moment of drama as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi misses a flick--there's a half-hearted LBW appeal, but nothing given.

Sooryavanshi quickly shifts gears, driving one straight past the bowler for four, and then following it up with another boundary. He keeps things ticking with a single towards backward square leg.

Jurel gets off the mark with a single, before Sooryavanshi finishes the over in style with a six.

A big over for Rajasthan Royals--16 runs from it. After 3 overs, they are 37/1.

Josh Hazlewood come into the attack from the other end--and he's greeted in style.

Yashasvi Jaiswal welcomes him with a huge six, showing early intent. He then gets on his toes to defend the next, but is beaten soon after by a sharp delivery. A soft push towards slip follows, but the pressure builds.

Jaiswal responds with another classy six--pure timing and elegance.

But Hazlewood has the last laugh. Outside edge snd it's taken! Jitesh Sharma makes no mistake behind the stumps, diving to complete a safe catch.

Jaiswal departs for 13 off 8 balls and Rajasthan Royals lose an early wicket.

We are all set for the chase!

Rajasthan Royals made the perfect start, with Jofra Archer striking early and putting Royal Challengers Bengaluru under pressure. Virat Kohli and Padikkal tried to rebuild, but wickets kept falling as RR stayed on top.

Just when things looked shaky, Rajat Patidar stepped up with a calm, responsible knock to steady the innings. After he fell, Venkatesh Iyer provided the late spark with some big hitting, especially in the final over.

RCB managed to cross 200 in the end--a strong total, but with RR's batting strength, the chase is very much on.

Sandeep Sharma return to bowl the final over.

Venkatesh Iyer gets going immediately, starting with a boundary and then going even bigger--launching one into the stands for a six.

Sandeep tries the wide yorker, but Iyer misses the sweep and picks up a couple of runs. Another one goes down leg and is called wide, adding extra runs to the over.

He keeps the pressure on with two more runs before finishing in style--smashing a glorious six to take Royal Challengers Bengaluru past the 200 mark!

A massive 21 runs come off the final over.

Iyer finishes unbeaten on 29 off 15 balls, giving RCB a strong finish to their innings.

Ravi Bishnoi back into the attack as the pressure builds in the death
overs.

Venkatesh Iyer reaches out and works it for a single to start the over. Then Rajat Patidar explodes into action--he smashes back-to-back sixes, shifting the momentum in an instant.

He tries to go big again but mistimes it, slicing one towards long-on for just a single.

Iyer then goes back into his shell, defending solidly and nudging one back towards the bowler. He finishes the over with a couple of runs.

Sixteen runs come off it, and after 17 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 166/7.

Sandeep Sharma return to the attack at a crucial stage.

And he delivers immediately--drawing the false shot from Rajat Patidar!

Patidar goes after it but doesn't quite get the timing right, and it goes straight to Donovan Ferreira in the deep. A safe catch, and that's the end of a brilliant knock.

Patidar walks back for 63 off 40 balls after a vital innings that kept Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the contest.

Sandeep Sharma back into the attack as the innings moves into its final phase.

Venkatesh Iyer starts the over by rising on his toes and punching one neatly towards long-off for a single. Rajat Patidar then looks to accelerate--he throws his hands at a slower delivery outside off and slices it towards sweeper cover, where Ravi Bishnoi misjudges it after the second bounce. That's four more runs.

Patidar keeps the momentum going with a couple more runs, before tapping it back to the bowler.

And then comes the milestone moment--he brings up a well-compiled half-century in style, reaching 50 off 35 balls. A captain's knock under pressure.

A dot ball finishes the over.

11 runs come from it, and after 16 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 150/7.

Ravindra Jadeja brought back into the attack as the pressure keeps building on Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Romario Shepherd starts the over with intent, getting down on one knee and lofting it behind square for a couple of runs, before taking a single to rotate strike. The batters continue to work in singles, trying to keep things moving.

But then comes the breakthrough.

Shepherd goes for it again--but this time he finds the fielder. A high catch goes up and Brijesh Sharma settles under it after a slight fumble, holding on in the end.

Shepherd departs for a quick 22 off 11 balls, and RCB slip further to 125/7 after 14 overs.

Hint of drizzle in the air as Ravi Bishnoi continues his spell, bowling his third over.

He starts with a well-disguised googly, which Rajat Patidar comfortably defends before taking a single off the next delivery. Romario Shepherd then gets off the mark in style--smashing a huge six to shift the momentum instantly.

The rest of the over is all about smart strike rotation, with RCB dealing in singles. Ten runs come off it, and after 12 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 104/6.

Brijesh Sharma continues and Shepherd starts positively again--flicking one fine for a single. Patidar responds with a clean boundary, followed by another single to keep things moving.

Then Shepherd shows his class--picking the gap beautifully between short third and backward point for four, and following it up with another boundary. Patidar finishes the over with a single.

15 runs come from the over, and after 13 overs, RCB are 119/6.

Despite the wickets tumbling, the RCB batters are still finding boundaries at crucial moments.

Jofra Archer brought back into the attack.

Rajat Patidar and Tim David start with a single each before David finally breaks free, smashing a boundary. A dot ball follows to end the over.

Seven runs come off it, and after 10 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 89/5.

Brijesh continues, and RCB keep rotating the strike with singles--Patidar cuts one to sweeper cover, David works one towards long-on.

Then comes the big moment. A half-hearted LBW appeal goes up but is turned down, and a leg bye is added to the total.

But the breakthrough arrives soon after--David goes after one too hard and ends up finding Shimron Hetmyer, who takes yet another brilliant catch. That's his third of the night.

Tim David departs for 13 off 9 balls, and Rajasthan Royals continue to tighten their grip as RCB slip further under pressure.

Ravindra Jadeja is introduced into the attack.

Jitesh Sharma starts positively, working one towards deep mid-wicket for a single. Rajat Patidar then welcomes Jadeja with a crisp boundary, before rotating strike with a quick single.

Jitesh then pushes one straight back to the bowler, and Patidar follows up with another single to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Eight runs come off the over after 8 overs, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru moving to 73/4.

Brijesh comes into the attack next--and strikes immediately.

Patidar nudges one towards sweeper cover for a single, but then the big moment arrives. Jitesh is trapped on the pad! The umpire raises his finger, and after a brief chat, Jitesh decides against the review. A good call not to review.

Tim David walks in at number seven.

He gets off the mark with a couple of runs and then ends the over in style with a boundary.

Nine runs and a wicket come off it. After 9 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 82/5.

Ravi Bishnoi produces a moment of magic to remove Virat Kohli.

It's a beautifully disguised googly, landing on a good length just outside off and dipping late. Kohli looks to go inside-out, but he's completely beaten. The ball sneaks past his bat and crashes into the stumps before he can react.

Bishnoi has outfoxed Kohli with a stunning delivery.

Kohli walks back after a quickfire 32 off 16 balls.

Rajat Patidar walks in as the new batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Sandeep Sharma comes into the attack, a bowler who has had plenty of success against Virat Kohli in the IPL, dismissing him multiple times in the past.

Kohli starts the over calmly, working one towards long-on for a single. Patidar defends a couple to settle in before getting off the mark with a quick single of his own.

Kohli then shifts gears, making room and driving one away for four with authority. He finishes the over in style as well, picking up another boundary.

Ten runs come off the over, and after four overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 55/2--despite the two early wickets, they've raced off to a strong start.

Jofra Archer continues his spell.

Virat Kohli stays right on top of the bounce and opens the bat face beautifully, steering one past backward point for four. He defends the next delivery, but the pressure doesn't ease.

A short ball follows--and Kohli gets a bit of edge again, but it flies away for another boundary. He looks in superb touch here, timing it effortlessly. A deft touch brings yet another four as he continues to dominate the over, before rotating strike with a soft single.

But just when things seem to be slipping away for the bowler, the breakthrough arrives.

Archer to Devdutt Padikkal--and he's gone! Caught by Shimron Hetmyer in the deep. A brilliant catch, taken cleanly under pressure.

Padikkal departs after a promising 14 off 7 balls and Rajasthan Royals strike at a crucial moment.

Nandre Burger comes into the attack from the other end.

Devdutt Padikkal starts positively, rising to the bounce and cracking one sweetly through point for four. He follows it up with a single towards midwicket to keep the scoreboard moving.

Then comes a moment of real quality from Burger--Kohli is beaten by a superb delivery! But he responds immediately in trademark style, using the pace of the ball to glide one away for four.

There's movement and drama in every ball now. Kohli swings and misses at one that shapes away sharply--too much movement for the batter, and Dhruv Jurel can't quite gather cleanly as the ball runs away for another boundary.

A wide is called, adding to the pressure, and Kohli survives another edge that races past the keeper again--Jurel has no chance this time either.

He finally gets a single to end the over.

A lively passage of play--19 runs from the first two overs. 

The long wait is finally over in Guwahati as Virat Kohli and Phil Salt walk out to open for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Jofra Archer has the new ball--and he wastes no time making an impact.

A sharp, fiery delivery does the damage, and Salt is gone for a duck! Archer strikes early, and Rajasthan Royals are off to the perfect start. A comfortable catch for Dhruv Jurel, and RCB are rocked right at the very top.

Good news from Guwahati--the covers are coming off and we're inching closer to a restart.

If the weather holds up with no further interruptions, we could be back underway at 8:40 pm local time.The best news for everyone is that, despite the earlier rain delays, no overs have been lost.

If the weather stays away, we're all set to resume at 8:40 pm local time, with a revised schedule locked in:

First innings: 8:40 pm - 10:10 pm

10-minute break

Second innings: 10:20 pm - 11:50 pm 

The drizzle has made a comeback in Guwahati, and the covers are back on the pitch, delaying the start of play once again.

It's just a light shower at the moment, so there's still hope it passes soon.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Riyan Parag(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma

Impact subs: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande

Riyan Parag said they will bowl first, pointing to the slight moisture left on the surface after the rain.

'There's a bit of moisture because of the rain, so we'll look to make use of it,' Parag explained. 

It's finally toss time in Guwahati, with Rajat Patidar and Riyan Parag out in the middle.

Parag, leading the home side, spins the coin after Patidar calls heads--but it lands tails. Rajasthan Royals win the toss and choose to bowl first.

The good news for fans is that despite the earlier delay, no overs have been lost. Both teams are unbeaten, and we're all set for a full game ahead.

The toss is now set for 8:00 pm local time, with the first ball expected at 8:15 pm, as long as the weather holds up.

The pitch is finally uncovered and the ground staff are out there rolling it out as things steadily improve.

Good news from Guwahati--the ground staff are finally out in the middle and starting to peel back the covers.

It's still a slow process but at least there's movement now.

The rain has really picked up in Guwahati, and the toss has been officially put on hold as everyone waits for a break in the weather.

It's shaping up to be another frustrating evening, with the skies simply not cooperating.

Just 15 minutes before the toss, this isn't what anyone wanted to see in Guwahati.

There's a lot to look forward to at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on
Friday evening but one contest stands out -- the clash between experience and youth.