Rasikh Salam wins last-over duel to cement RCB’s faith in IPL 2026

Coming into IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru knew their bowling attack still had gaps to fill. While the temporary absence of Josh Hazlewood was covered with the signing of Jacob Duffy, the bigger concern was identifying a reliable third seamer to support Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

That role had been expertly handled by Yash Dayal during RCB’s title-winning campaign last season, particularly in pressure situations at the death. But with Dayal unavailable this year for off-field reasons, the franchise was forced to search within its ranks for a new solution.

Abhinandan Singh received the first opportunity but failed to impress. Mangesh Yadav was another option, especially as a left-arm pacer, yet RCB chose to back Rasikh Salam.

It proved to be a masterstroke.

The Baroda fast bowler has spent years moving through the IPL system, turning out for Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals before landing in Bengaluru. For much of his career, Rasikh remained a fringe player without a settled role. This season, however, he appears to have finally found his place.

Against Mumbai Indians earlier in the campaign, he was used in a containing role by skipper Rajat Patidar, returning figures of 1 wicket for 23 runs in 2.5 overs before an injury cut short his outing.

Back at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday, April 16, Rasikh returned sharper, smarter and ready to seize his moment.

He watched closely as senior pros Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar exploited the sluggish Bengaluru surface. His first wicket came through fortune when Aiden Markram top-edged a full toss, but what followed underlined growing maturity.

Rasikh conceded just two runs in a brilliant over to Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, helping RCB shut down the powerplay. He then dismissed Ayush Badoni with a delivery that used the surface cleverly — the kind of disciplined execution associated with elite seamers.

But the defining moment came in the final over, in a tense battle with Mukul Choudhary.

Rasikh beats Mukul in pressure battle

Mukul walked in with LSG under pressure and produced one of his grittiest IPL knocks. Far from the free-scoring conditions of Eden Gardens, he adapted smartly, compiling 33 from 26 balls and setting himself for a late charge.

With one over left, Patidar handed Rasikh the responsibility of finishing the innings.

The duel began with a slower ball that Mukul powered into the stands, raising expectations of a big finish. But Rasikh responded brilliantly.

Reading that Mukul was waiting for another slower delivery, the pacer switched gears and fired in a quicker ball at 139 kmph. Angled slightly on the leg side, it zipped through the batter’s legs and shattered the stumps.

It was a wicket built on awareness, nerve and execution.

Rasikh then ended the innings in style with a searing yorker that uprooted Avesh Khan’s off stump, completing outstanding figures of 4/24 from four overs.

Hazlewood was among the first to acknowledge the youngster’s rise.

“Rasikh obviously missed the first few games but selected in the last couple and he's training the house down. He's got some nice skills. We've seen that in the last few games. Bowls the hard overs as well. It's a big tournament for Rasikh,” Hazlewood said.

As RCB push hard to defend their IPL crown, the emergence of Rasikh Salam could become one of the defining stories of their campaign. After years of drifting between franchises, he now looks like a bowler who has finally found belief, belonging and trust in Bengaluru.