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Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Venkatesh Iyer was seen copying the pose of Tamil cinema superstar ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay while celebrating his half-century against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026.
RCB take on PBKS in Dharamshala on Sunday in what will be the final league game for both sides in the tournament. RCB have one foot at the door of the playoffs, while PBKS is struggling to stay afloat.
Venkatesh Iyer’s innings against PBKS
Coming in to bat at number 4, Iyer continued the foundation laid by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal and scored an unbeaten 73 off just 40 balls with the help of 8 fours and 4 sixes.
In the seventeenth over of the innings, Iyer completed his half-century in just 29 balls by hitting a six against Lockie Ferguson. After achieving the milestone he celebrated in victory pose. Kohli also scored fifty runs while Padikkal scored 45 runs. All these contributions along with a strong finish from Tim David meant that RCB posted 222 for PBKS.
Venkatesh Iyer recreates Thalapathy Vijay Utsav pic.twitter.com/GcOhrfqQQ2
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 17 May 2026
Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2026
Iyer’s chances in this year’s IPL are essentially slim. He has played only 4 out of 13 matches for RCB this year, with the defending champions preferring Devdutt Padikkal and Romario Shepherd over him.
In 2 matches, Iyer was brought in as an impact player despite RCB trying to bat first and save the collapse. Against his former team KKR, Iyer was formally included in the playing eleven, but did not get a chance to bat. And against PBKS, he scored his first half-century in RCB colours.
In 3 innings, Venkatesh Iyer has scored 114 runs at a strike rate of around 163. He has been out just once, and hence his batting average is 114.
Venkatesh Iyer was brought in as a first XI player due to Romario Shepherd’s poor form, but the absence of captain Rajat Patidar has kept Iyer in the playing XI for the time being and this particular match will strengthen his claim.
RCB and Punjab Kings qualification scenario in IPL 2026
RCB are in a great position to make the playoffs and will need just one win to ensure qualification. If they lose both their remaining games, RCB will have to depend on other results to make the last four.
If they win one and lose one, RCB will reach the playoffs, but they will be dependent on other results to remain in the top two. Table toppers RCB have the best net run rate in the league and this will be a big boost for them.
Punjab Kings, after being unbeaten in 7 matches, have lost five in a row. Punjab will have to win both their remaining matches to control their destiny in the last four. Losing another match would mean the Kings would have to win another match and would still have to depend on other results to make it into the top four.
Also read: Virat Kohli left Rohit, Dhoni and ABD behind; Became the first batsman to achieve a big feat during PBKS vs RCB match