IPL2026 : Rampant RCB Crush Gujarat Titans to Storm into IPL Final, Patidar hits breathtaking 93

 


Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL final with a thumping 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier on Tuesday. Powered by a blistering batting display and a ruthless bowling effort, RCB outclassed Gujarat in every department at Dharamshala.

Asked to bat first after Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill won the toss, Bengaluru piled up a daunting 254/5, thanks largely to a sensational unbeaten knock from captain Rajat Patidar. In reply, Gujarat collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.

Patidar led from the front with a breathtaking 93 not out off just 33 balls, hammering five fours and nine towering sixes. His explosive innings completely shifted the momentum in RCB’s favour and left Gujarat’s bowlers searching for answers.

Virat Kohli also made a fluent contribution at the top, scoring 43 off 25 deliveries with five boundaries and a six. Though Venkatesh Iyer fell after a brisk 19 from seven balls, RCB maintained their aggressive approach throughout the innings.

At No. 3, Devdutt Padikkal played an attacking cameo of 30 off 19 balls, while Krunal Pandya added further momentum with a polished 43 from 28 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. Jitesh Sharma provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 15 off just five balls.

None of Gujarat’s bowlers managed to contain the relentless assault. Jason Holder was the most successful, picking up two wickets for 39 runs, while Kagiso Rabada claimed two for 54. Mohammed Siraj endured a difficult outing, conceding 46 runs without a wicket, and even Rashid Khan went wicketless despite giving away 29 runs in three overs.

Chasing a mammoth 255, Gujarat’s innings unravelled almost immediately. Sai Sudharsan looked promising before suffering an unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal after his bat slipped from his hands and disturbed the stumps. Captain Gill managed just two runs, while Nishant Sidhu and Holder failed to make an impact.

Jos Buttler briefly threatened with an aggressive 29 off 11 balls, smashing four fours and two sixes, but his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. Gujarat crashed from 51/2 to 51/5, effectively surrendering the contest inside the powerplay.

From there, the chase never recovered. Washington Sundar and Rashid both fell cheaply, while Rahul Tewatia fought a lone battle with a spirited 68 off 43 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, helping Gujarat cross the 150-run mark.

RCB’s bowlers complemented their batters brilliantly. Jacob Duffy starred with figures of 3/39, while Rasikh Salam and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two wickets each. Krunal capped off an excellent all-round performance with superb figures of 2/16.

With this emphatic victory, RCB marched into the IPL final in dominant fashion, while Gujarat Titans were left to regroup quickly ahead of the second qualifier.

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