Tilak Varma and Noman Dhir (X-IPL)
A stunning late twist unfolded between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians as the IPL 2026 match in Raipur came down to the final ball. With RCB needing 30 runs from the last three overs, the tension was palpable in the Bengaluru dugout. Krunal Pandya was the only hope at the crease, while young spinner AM Ghazanfar was given the responsibility of bowling the crucial 18th over. The end began with a dotted ball before complete chaos unfolded on the second delivery. Krunal lofted the ball towards long off as Nouman Dhir caught the catch near the ropes and blocked it towards Tilak Varma to avoid falling on the boundary pad. But Tilak failed to collect the relay cleanly due to a misunderstanding between the players, leading to confusion among MI players over whether it should be counted as a six. For a few moments, even the players themselves seemed unsure. Tilak believed the ball went over the ropes during the relay attempt, while Naman insisted he stayed within bounds. In the end, the third umpire confirmed that it was not a six, and since Krunal did not attempt a run, the dramatic sequence ended in a dot-ball. But the missed opportunity remains costly for Mumbai. Krunal responded immediately by smashing two huge sixes later, swinging the momentum back towards RCB and silencing the Mumbai camp.
Just when it looked like the all-rounder might finish in a stunning finish, Ghazanfar made a crucial breakthrough on the last ball. Krunal tried to hit another big shot at long-on, but this time Tilak Varma delivered a brilliant shot near the ropes. Tilak ran sharply to his left, caught the ball, put the ball back into play just before crossing the boundary, and then completed the catch at the second attempt after re-entering the field. The stunning effort ended Krunal’s combative knock of 73 off 46 balls, filled with four boundaries and five sixes, and left RCB needing 18 runs off the last 12 balls. The drama is not over yet.
Jasprit Bumrah
He then put on a trademark squeeze in the 19th over, conceding just three runs and appearing to push Mumbai into a winning position heading into the final with RCB needing 15 runs. But Mumbai failed to finish the match. Youngster Raj Bawa was unable to defend the goal in the final over as RCB completed a thrilling win on the last ball of the match, capping off one of the most dramatic finishes of IPL 2026.
