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Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s star batter Virat Kohli was seen engaging in a bit of banter with Punjab Kings’ left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar during the two teams’ IPL 2026 clash on Sunday.
The clash is important for both teams as RCB will qualify for the playoffs with a win, while Punjab Kings have to avoid slipping to a sixth consecutive loss.
Virat Kohli eggs on Harpreet Brar
The incident took place during the ninth over of RCB’s innings in Dharamsala. During the penultimate delivery of the over bowled by Azmatuallah Omarazai, Virat Kohli played a cut towards the backward point region and set off for a single.
Harpreet Brar managed to field the ball near the 30-yard circle, but Kohli stayed out of his crease as he returned halfway without completing the single. Kohli was seen egging on Brar and challenging him to effect the runout. Brar did not oblige.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) May 17, 2026
Virat Kohli and Harpreet Brar in IPL 2026
Kohli has been in an amazing run of form in IPL 2026, being RCB’s highest run-getter in the tournament.
During the clash against PBKS, he completed the milestone of 500 runs in an IPL season for the ninth time, the most by any batter. In fact, Kohli has crossed the 500-run mark for four seasons in a row now.
With 542 runs in 13 matches, Kohli is currently third on the Orange Cap list. Against Punjab, he played a useful hand of 58 runs in 37 balls. His runs have come at an average of 54.2 and a strike rate of almost 165.
Harpreet Brar has not gotten as many chances in IPL 2026, though. He has played just 2 matches this year. He has taken 2 wickets in his matches this year at an average of 30 and an economy rate of 7.50 runs per over.
In the first match versus RR, he went wicketless, while he took 2/35 against RCB, dismissing Jacob Bethell and Devdutt Padikkal.
Brar has historically had an excellent record against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL history.
RCB and PBKS qualification scenario
The ongoing game in Dharamsala is the thirteenth one in this year’s league stage for both RCB and Punjab.
RCB are in an excellent position to make the playoffs and will need just one win to confirm qualification. If they lose both, RCB will have to depend on other results to make the last four. If they win one and lose one, RCB will make the playoffs, but they will depend on other results to stay in the top two.
Table toppers RCB have the best NRR in the league, and that will be a big boost for them.
Punjab Kings have lost five in a row after going 7 matches unbeaten. Punjab will need to win both their remaining matches in order to control their destiny in the last four. Losing another match will mean that the Kings will have to win the other one and still depend on other results to make the top four.
