The blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium turned into a batting masterclass, with RCB posting a record-breaking total in IPL 2026. After being put in to bat by CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, the hosts made full use of the conditions with a dominant display.
Openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt laid a steady foundation, ensuring RCB didn’t lose early wickets on a slightly tacky surface. While Kohli chipped in with 28 off 18 balls, Salt looked in sublime touch, attacking the CSK bowlers with confidence before falling for a brisk 46.
The momentum was then carried forward by Devdutt Padikkal, who continued his impressive run with a fluent half-century. His ability to accelerate through the middle overs kept the scoreboard ticking, setting the stage for a late onslaught. Skipper Rajat Patidar anchored the innings smartly, remaining unbeaten on 48 while rotating strike effectively.
ALSO READ: Sanju Samson Fails Again As RCB Rock CSK With Dominant Display in IPL 2026
However, the defining moment of the innings came at the death, courtesy of Tim David. Walking in during the latter stages, David unleashed a brutal assault on the CSK bowlers, particularly targeting Jamie Overton in the 19th over, where he hammered 30 runs, including four towering sixes. His unbeaten 70 off just 25 deliveries completely shifted the momentum and left the opposition shell-shocked.
6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ !
🎥 Tim David goes berserk, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 three maximums in the over 🤩
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/PkhPvxcU44#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #RCBvCSK | @rcbtweets pic.twitter.com/fRlsLI1JXU
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2026
David and Patidar stitched together a match-defining 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with the bulk of the damage coming in the final overs. RCB plundered a staggering 97 runs in the last five overs, underlining their dominance.
Reflecting on the innings, Padikkal revealed that the team had planned to preserve wickets early and capitalize later — a strategy that worked to perfection. The calculated approach allowed their power-hitters to take over in the death overs.
WATCH – Jamie Overton Cleans Up Devdutt Padikkal After Blazing Fifty
RCB eventually finished with a massive 250/3, the highest total of IPL 2026 and the highest ever in RCB vs CSK encounters. In response, CSK’s chase got off to the worst possible start, with Gaikwad falling early to Jacob Duffy. With a daunting 251 to chase, the pressure is firmly on CSK’s batting lineup, especially players like Sanju Samson, to deliver something extraordinary.
