Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) find themselves in a precarious position after a devastating collapse during their IPL 2026 encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the ACA Stadium. Despite a brisk start, the visitors have been left reeling at four wickets down following a masterclass in leg-spin bowling from Ravi Bishnoi.

The pivotal moment arrived in the fifth over when Virat Kohli, who had raced to 32 off just 16 deliveries, failed to account for a "beautifully disguised" googly from Bishnoi. Attempting an inside-out strike, the former captain was beaten for pace and turn, watching helplessly as his stumps were shattered.

The disaster compounded shortly after as RCB’s tactical gamble to promote Krunal Pandya backfired. Pandya sliced a lofted effort towards long-off, where Shimron Hetmyer executed a sensational diving catch to claim the fourth wicket.

Also read‘A captain's job is to stay till the end in a chase’: Kaif’s advice to Pant

Bishnoi and Jofra Archer have been the architects of the damage, claiming two wickets apiece to leave the RCB middle order in tatters. Earlier, both sides opted for solitary changes: RR brought in Brijesh Sharma in place of Tushar Deshpande, while RCB welcomed back Josh Hazlewood for Jacob Duffy. RCB now face an uphill battle to post a competitive total in Guwahati. (With inputs from Agencies)