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Punjab Kings’ form remained dismal in IPL 2026 after getting thrashed by 23 runs by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With this defeat, PBKS created their second-highest record of consecutive losses in the history of IPL, which is a streak of six losses in a row.

PBKS previously held the record of seven successive defeats in the 2015 season of IPL. Now, in 2026, PBKS has equalled that record of six straight losses and are close to beating it. Also, PBKS have tasted victory just once in their last eight games at the same venue, starting from 2023.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru once again proved to be the better side compared to Punjab Kings. Bengaluru have won seven of their last eight games against PBKS since 2023. The away team had the upper hand throughout the match and put up impressive batting performances.

The Punjab Kings yet again couldn't impress the spectators with an underwhelming performance before their home crowd. Their bowling department had a tough time containing the runs scored by the RCB batsmen.

Despite losing the toss, PBKS conceded 222/4 runs in just 20 overs for the visiting side. Their bowlers couldn’t keep the scoring rate in check, particularly in the mid and last overs of the innings.

Harpreet Brar was the sole bowler who made any sort of difference with two wickets for 35 runs from four overs. While Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal scalped one wicket each, the former two bowlers were costly for PBKS. They conceded too many runs.

Their dismal record at Dharamsala became even more depressing with this loss. Out of 17 matches in the IPL played at Dharamsala, PBKS have suffered defeat 11 times.

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RCB's batsmen played positively right from the beginning. Following a positive start from Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal went on to score some aggressive runs during their stay at the crease.

Virat Kohli hit 58 runs with the help of four boundaries and three sixes in 37 balls. Devdutt Padikkal scored 45 runs by hitting five fours but was dismissed for Harpreet Brar.

The highest score was by Venkatesh Iyer, who was unbeaten in his innings with 73 runs in 40 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. The rest of his teammates were Tim David who managed to score 28 runs in 12 balls.

The good performance of RCB's batsmen in their innings enabled the team to maintain its superiority against Punjab Kings throughout the match.

RCBended up scoring 222 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs, thanks to the scores from Virat Kohli (58), Devdutt Padikkal (45), Venkatesh Iyer (73*) and Tim David (28). Harpreet Brar turned out to be the most effective bowler of Punjab Kings with two wickets in 35 balls. Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal were the next two most successful bowlers for PBKS, picking up one wicket each.