Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a dominant performance to crush Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026, securing a spot in the final. The match, played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, saw RCB post a mammoth total of 225 for 4 in 20 overs before bowling out GT for 133 in 16.3 overs.
RCB's Batting Masterclass
Opting to bat first, RCB got off to a flying start thanks to openers Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Kohli played a scintillating knock of 92 off 52 balls, laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes. Patidar complemented him with a brisk 67 off 38 deliveries, hitting 8 boundaries and 2 sixes. The duo added 145 runs for the first wicket, setting the platform for a huge total. Late cameos from Glenn Maxwell (35 off 18) and Cameron Green (22 off 10) propelled RCB past the 220-run mark.
GT's Bowling Struggles
Gujarat Titans' bowlers had no answers to RCB's onslaught. Mohammed Shami was the most expensive, conceding 52 runs in his 4 overs. Rashid Khan picked up 2 wickets but leaked 40 runs. The only bright spot was Josh Little, who finished with 1 for 28 in his 4 overs.
GT's Chase Collapses
Chasing a daunting target, GT never got going. They lost opener Shubman Gill early for 8, caught behind off Josh Hazlewood. Wriddhiman Saha (15) and David Miller (22) tried to rebuild, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Rashid Khan's quickfire 45 off 28 balls provided some resistance, but it was too little too late. RCB's bowlers were clinical, with Josh Hazlewood taking 3 for 22, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 25, and Mohammed Siraj 2 for 28.
Key Moments
- Kohli-Patidar Stand: The 145-run opening partnership set the tone for RCB's big total.
- Hazlewood's Early Strike: Dismissing Gill in the first over put GT on the back foot.
- Rashid's Fight: A valiant 45 gave GT fans a glimmer of hope before Hasaranga removed him.
Road to Final
RCB will now await the winner of the Qualifier 2 between GT and the winner of the Eliminator. The final is scheduled to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29. This will be RCB's fourth IPL final appearance, having finished runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Speaking after the match, RCB captain Faf du Plessis praised his team's all-round performance. "We executed our plans perfectly. The bowlers were outstanding, and the batters gave us a great start. We are looking forward to the final," he said.
GT captain Hardik Pandya admitted his team was outplayed. "RCB were too good today. We didn't bat well, and our bowling lacked discipline. We need to bounce back in the next game," he added.
