The IPL 2026 group stage came to an exciting conclusion on a stunning Sunday, featuring two memorable matches. Rajasthan Royals defeated the Mumbai Indians in the first match of the day to secure the last spot in the playoffs and eliminate Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Delhi Capitals (DC), in the second match of Super Sunday, beat KKR in the last league stage match of the season to end their campaign on a high. Both the matches had some exciting moments. Let’s take a look at them.
RR vs MI, Match 69, Top Moments
1) Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur’s playful banter
Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur engaged in a bit of playful banter on the field during the final over of the first innings in the MI vs RR match. This happened after Shardul dismissed Jadeja off a no-ball.
After Hardik Pandya took Jadeja’s catch, Shardul teased Jadeja with a fist pump celebration right in front of him. And as soon as the no-ball siren went off, Jadeja did the same as Shardul was walking back to his bowling mark. The RR star further jumped and celebrated in front of Shardul after hitting a four off the free hit, creating a light moment in the match.
2) Dhruv Jurel, Dasun Shanaka’s mix-up leads to run out
Shardul Thakur produced a crucial run-out to end Dasun Shanaka’s quickfire innings on 29. A mix-up between the batters left Shanaka stranded after Dhruv Jurel turned back midway through the run. Despite fumbles from both Thakur and the bowler, Mumbai Indians recovered in time to break the stumps, catching Shanaka well short of his crease.
3) Shardul Thakur’s towel falls off just before Shubham Dubey’s dismissal
Shardul Thakur’s towel fell off his back and onto the ground just before he dismissed Shubham Dubey. This happened in the 18th over of the first innings when the towel slipped and fell as Shardul was in his bowling stride.
Dubey skied the ball and was caught out. However, RR head coach Kumar Sangakkara was seen having a chat with the fourth umpire, possibly on whether it was a dead ball or not.
4) Fan takes Suryakumar Yadav’s catch outside the boundary fence
During the fourth over of the chase, a lucky fan completed a stunning catch in the stands after Suryakumar Yadav launched a towering six. Punishing a length ball on leg stump, Surya got it right in his hitting arc and whipped it powerfully over backward square leg, sending the ball soaring beyond the boundary ropes.
The fan caught the ball after a bit of juggling as it fell off the stands.
5) Nandre Burger’s caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Surya
Nandre Burger pulled off a magnificent caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss a well-set Suryakumar Yadav in the chase. This happened in the 18th over when Surya attempted to break the shackles but ended up hitting the ball straight back at Burger.
The RR pacer was on his follow-through and took a good return catch to deliver the killer blow on the Mumbai Indians.
KKR vs DC, Match 70, Top Moments
1) Kuldeep Yadav fumes at Abishek Porel after his catch drop
Kuldeep Yadav was livid with Abishek Porel after the DC wicketkeeper dropped a catch on a hat-trick ball. The chinaman bowler dismissed Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh off consecutive balls and was on a hat-trick.
Tejasvi Singh, the new batter, got an outside edge to the ball, and Porel failed to hold onto the ball. After the catch, which could have led to this season’s first hat-trick, was dropped, Kuldeep was seen pretty angry with Porel.
2) Sameer Rizvi’s direct hit from boundary causes run out
Sameer Rizvi produced a direct hit from the boundary to run out Rovman Powell in the chase. This happened in the 18th over of the chase when KKR needed 51 runs off 18 balls.
Anukul Roy hit Mitchell Starc down the ground and set off for a double. Rizvi collected the ball near the boundary and unleashed a bullet throw. The ball hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Rovman Powell short of his crease.
3) Mitchell Starc’s catch to dismiss Manish Pandey
Starc might be 36 years of age but he showed great athleticism to take a superb catch that dismissed Manish Pandey in the chase. This happened in the ninth over of the chase.
Pandey tried to hit Lungi Ngidi for a big shot, but did not get enough. And Starc, fielding in the long-on region, dived in front to take a wonderful catch.
