Picture : @IPL/X
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru came out all guns blazing to rout Gujarat Titans 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to reach a second- successive IPL final. Earlier GT won the toss and opted to bowl first. A move Skipper Gill would regret later on.
RCB opened with positive intent with Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli . Iyer was out first scoring 19 ( 7 balls 3 fours, 1 six) . Virat Kohli in sublime form was at his afggressive best too . He was set for big score but fell when an inside edge of the bat hit his stumps of a Jason Holder delivery. Kohli scored a quick 43 ( 25 balls , 5 fours, 1 six). Devdutt Padikkal another bnatsmn was vitim of Holder again for 30 ( 19 balls , 5 fours).
But the RCB innings took off thanks to a blistering innings from Skipper Rajat Patidar. Patidar was sensational as he blasted a superb 33 ball 93 and what’s more remained unbeaten ( 5 fours, 9 sixes). It was a carnage that left GT shell-shocked .
Playoff pressure? 🤔
Rajat Patidar thrives in it 😎
Relive his 9⃣ sixes vs #GT ▶️ https://t.co/GhSseiiXq4 #TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/DISQjB1bn6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
Krunal Pandya too played yet anothe crucial inniungs when his team needed it most a fine 43 ( 28 balls , 5 fours, 2 sixes) . the Big Tim David fell for 4. Jitesh Sharma not out 15 ( 5 fours , 1 four, 1 six) along with Patidar ensured thet RCB reached a mmamoth total of 254/5 in their 20 overs .
Gujarat Titans Bowling which was precise till now was off target this time . And the fielding with some dropped catches was somewhat sloppy in such a big game . Mohammed Siraj 0/46 ( 3 overs), Kagiso Rabada 2/54 ( 4 overs), Jason Holder 2/39 ( 4 overs), Rashid Khan 0/29 ( 3 overs), Prasidh Krishna 1/53 ( 4 overs), Kulwant Khejroliya 0/31 ( 2 overs)
IN reply to the huge total, GT batting collapsed in the power play. For the first time they lost 5 wickets within the power play and the game was truly over. The much talked about batting unit failed – Skipper Shubman Gill 2 , Sai Sudharsan unlucky hit wicket ( bat hitting the stumps) for 14 , Nishant Sindhu 5 , Jos Buttler tried rescue act with a quick 29 ( 11 balls 4 fours 2 sixes) but fell to Hazlewood. Jason Holder out fopr 0. GT were tottering at 51-5, 5.4 overs.
Half the #GT side back in the hut 🫣
All four #RCB bowlers among wickets in the powerplay 🔥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/9rs6u5obOw#TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/xJVTmW44iy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
Washington Sundar one of the hopes could score 8 , Rashid Khan too scored 0. Rahul Tewatia after not getting too mancy chances finally scored his second fifty in the IPL since 2021. Tewatia battled hard to narrow the loss scoring 68 ( 43 balls 8 fours, 4 sixes) , Kagiso Rabada 9 , Mohammed Siraj 5. Prasidh Krishna not out 6 as GT were bowled out for 162/10 in 19. 2 overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowling : Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/28 ( 4 overs), Jacob Duffy 3/39 ( 4 overs), Josh Hazlewood 1/39 ( 4 overs), Rasikh Salam Dar 2/24 ( 3 overs), Krunal Pandya 2/16 ( 3.3 overs), Romario Shepherd 0/15 ( 1 over)
RCB now waits the winner of the Qualifier 2 where Gujarat Titans will play the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on May 27 in New Chandigarh .
Match: IPL 2026, Qualifier 1
Venue: Dharamsala | Date: May 26, 2026
