Overview
- Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 255 for 4 and beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs in Hyderabad on Friday, May 22, 2026.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained first place on 18 points because of a superior net run rate, with Gujarat Titans second and SRH third, meaning RCB will play Qualifier 1 at Dharamshala and SRH will play the Eliminator.
- A heated on-field exchange between Virat Kohli and Travis Head during the game and a widely shared post-match clip showing Kohli not shaking Head’s hand have driven intense social-media debate about sportsmanship.
- In an unusual tactical twist, Travis Head—primarily used as an impact batter this season—bowled late in the innings and took Rajat Patidar’s wicket, his first IPL wicket in nine years.
- The final fourth playoff place remains undecided with PBKS, KKR, RR and DC still competing, and commentators have flagged Dharamshala’s variable wicket as a factor that could affect the Qualifier 1 contest.