IPL 2026: Tilak Varma-Naman Dhir catch confusion costs MI as RCB seal dramatic last-ball win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru snatched a dramatic victory from Mumbai Indians on the final ball in Raipur. Krunal Pandya's valiant 73 was ended by a spectacular catch, but RCB still needed 18 from 12. Despite Jasprit Bumrah's tight penultimate over, Raj Bawa couldn't defend the target, leading to a thrilling last-ball win for Bengaluru.
A breathtaking late twist unfolded between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians as the IPL 2026 clash in Raipur went right down to the final ball. With RCB needing 30 runs from the final three overs, tension was clearly visible in the Bengaluru dugout. Krunal Pandya was the lone hope at the crease, while young spinner AM Ghazanfar was handed the responsibility of bowling the crucial 18th over.
The over began with a dot ball before complete chaos unfolded on the second delivery. Krunal lofted the ball towards wide long-on where Naman Dhir grabbed the catch near the ropes and parried it towards Tilak Varma to avoid stepping onto the boundary cushion. But Tilak failed to collect the relay cleanly because of a misunderstanding between the two fielders, leading to confusion among MI players over whether it should count as a six.
For a few moments, even the fielders themselves appeared unsure. Tilak believed the ball had crossed the ropes during the relay attempt, while Naman insisted he had stayed inside the boundary. Eventually, the third umpire confirmed it was not a six, and since Krunal had not attempted a run, the dramatic sequence ended as a dot ball.
But the missed opportunity still proved costly for Mumbai. Krunal responded immediately by smashing two massive sixes later in the over, swinging momentum back towards RCB and silencing the Mumbai camp. Just when it looked like the all-rounder might pull off a stunning finish, Ghazanfar produced a crucial breakthrough on the final ball of the over.