Bengaluru, April 5 (NationPress) With explosive performances from Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, and team captain Rajat Patidar, the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru achieved an impressive score of 250/3 in their allotted 20 overs, marking the highest total in IPL 2026 against the Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

The pitch conditions improved as the match unfolded, and a remarkable unbroken partnership of 99 runs off just 35 balls between David, who scored a blistering 70 not out off merely 25 balls, and Patidar, who added 48 not out off only 19 deliveries, played a crucial role in propelling RCB to the impressive 250-mark, setting a daunting target for CSK.

Prior to their explosive display, Padikkal showcased his solid batting with a score of 50 runs from 29 balls, marking his second consecutive fifty of the season. David's power-hitting was on full display as he hit three consecutive sixes off Noor Ahmad, and continued his assault in the penultimate over against Jamie Overton, smashing four sixes and a four to reach his second IPL half-century in just 21 balls, prompting a standing ovation from the RCB dugout, including a thrilled Virat Kohli.

RCB started cautiously after being asked to bat first, with Phil Salt and Kohli managing the early swing from Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry. Kohli broke free in the fourth over with a six and two boundaries but was dismissed soon after for 28 runs off 18 balls, caught by Shivam Dube, who had earlier dropped a catch off Anshul Kamboj.

Salt, initially struggling, found his rhythm with pulls and slog-sweeps, racing to 46 off 30 balls before being dismissed by Dube in the 11th over.

Padikkal, who was dropped once by Ruturaj Gaikwad, accelerated in the middle overs, scoring three fours and two sixes off Dube and Henry to achieve his second consecutive half-century, raising his bat to the ecstatic crowd at Chinnaswamy. His innings concluded at 50 runs, bowled by Jamie Overton while attempting a lap shot in the 15th over.

From a position of 151/3 in 14.1 overs, Patidar and David launched a spectacular counterattack that left spectators in awe. Patidar hit Khaleel for two sixes and a four, while David unleashed his fury on Noor Ahmad, hitting three consecutive sixes in the 17th over.

Although Kamboj thought he had David yorked, an overstep turned it into a free hit, which David converted into another six. Overton faced the brunt of the assault in the 19th over, conceding 30 runs as David smashed four sixes and a four to complete his half-century in just 21 balls, including a towering hit that flew outside the stadium, resulting in 97 runs scored in the last five overs.

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 250/3 in 20 overs (Tim David 70 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 50; Shivam Dube 1-30, Jamie Overton 1-42) against Chennai Super Kings