The MI vs RCB IPL 2026 match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday turned into a marathon contest, eventually becoming the third longest match in Indian Premier League history in terms of balls bowled. The game lasted more than three-and-a-half hours before Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured an 18-run win over Mumbai Indians.
Several factors contributed to the lengthy contest, including a large number of extras, multiple reviews, and stoppages for players receiving medical attention from physios. In total, 262 balls were bowled across both innings, placing the match among the longest IPL games ever recorded by deliveries.
MI vs RCB enters list of longest IPL matches
In the match, Mumbai Indians bowled 132 deliveries, including 11 wides and one no-ball. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, meanwhile, bowled 130 balls with nine wides and one no-ball.
This took the total deliveries in the contest to 262. The record for the longest IPL match by balls bowled still belongs to the RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad game from April 15, 2024, where 265 balls were bowled. The second longest match was the 264-ball contest between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants in April 2025.
Despite falling just short of the top spot, the MI vs RCB encounter now sits third on the list of the longest IPL matches.
RCB pile up huge total
Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a strong batting performance after being put in to bat. Phil Salt provided a rapid start at the top of the order, while Virat Kohli scored a 38-ball half-century to anchor the innings.
Rajat Patidar added further momentum with the fastest fifty of his IPL career, helping RCB post a massive total of 240/4 in 20 overs.
The total placed immediate pressure on Mumbai Indians during the run chase.
Mumbai Indians fall short in chase
Mumbai Indians’ chase suffered an early setback when Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt in the fifth over because of a hamstring injury. The middle order struggled to maintain the required scoring rate.
Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir failed to make significant contributions, leaving captain Hardik Pandya to attempt a recovery. Pandya scored 40 runs but could not take the team closer to the target.
Sherfane Rutherford produced a late flourish with an unbeaten 31-ball 71, smashing nine sixes. However, the effort came too late as Mumbai Indians finished their innings at 222/5, handing Royal Challengers Bengaluru a crucial victory.
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