Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sealed a strong five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in a high-scoring contest in the 34th match of IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal delivered a powerful batting display for RCB, overshadowing Sai Sudharsan’s well-crafted century.
RCB chase downs GT despite Sudharsan’s ton
Gujarat Titans posted a competitive total of 205 for 3 after being asked to bat first by RCB captain Rajat Patidar. Sai Sudharsan anchored the innings with a steady 100 off 58 balls. He later described the pitch as "two-paced and sticky to start with".
However, even after conditions improved for batting, GT failed to accelerate in the final phase. They managed just 35 runs in the last four overs, which kept their total within reach.
In reply, RCB chased down the target with ease. Virat Kohli led the charge with a fluent 81 off 44 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal hammered 55 off just 27 deliveries. The duo added 115 runs for the second wicket in under 10 overs. Despite losing a few wickets late, RCB completed the chase with seven balls remaining.
Sudharsan builds steadily before accelerating
GT’s opening approach remained cautious. Sudharsan started carefully and scored 17 runs off his first 16 balls. Gradually, he found his rhythm and reached 41 off 27 balls by the fifth over. His partner Shubman Gill had faced only three deliveries during that phase.
The Titans ended the powerplay strongly at 57 without losing a wicket.
Innovative strokeplay and record milestone
After the powerplay, Sudharsan shifted gears and began playing innovative shots. He scooped Romario Shepherd for a six and followed it with an uppercut and a slog sweep against Krunal Pandya, both resulting in boundaries.
During this innings, he also reached 2000 IPL runs in just 47 innings, becoming the fastest to achieve the milestone and surpassing Chris Gayle’s record.
Sudharsan and Gill built a solid 128-run partnership in 12.4 overs. Gill contributed 32 off 24 balls but struggled to get enough strike. He was eventually dismissed while attempting a big shot off Suyash Sharma.
Sudharsan brought up his century in 57 balls, which was the slowest hundred of the season so far. He failed to capitalize after reaching the milestone and was dismissed on the very next delivery.
RCB bowlers restrict late surge
At 170 for 2 after 16 overs, GT looked set for a massive total. But RCB bowlers pulled things back impressively. Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood conceded only 17 runs in the next three overs.
The final over saw some drama. Rasikh Salam pulled out before delivering a ball due to what appeared to be cramps. Krunal Pandya stepped in to complete the over but also struggled physically. Despite discomfort, he finished the over, though GT added 18 runs to their total.
Early setback for RCB in chase
RCB’s chase began with Jacob Bethell opening as an Impact Player due to Phil Salt’s injury. Bethell survived an early scare but was dismissed for 14 off 10 balls after playing one shot too many against Mohammed Siraj.
Kohli and Padikkal dominate
Kohli got an early lifeline when he was dropped on zero by Washington Sundar. He capitalized immediately and began attacking the bowlers.
Padikkal, on the other hand, was even more aggressive. He smashed a six off his very first ball and continued to punish anything on his pads. His quickfire fifty came in just 20 balls, making Kohli’s half-century look slow in comparison.
Even Rashid Khan, GT’s key bowler, could not escape punishment. Kohli and Padikkal hit him for multiple boundaries and sixes. Padikkal eventually fell to a googly from Rashid, while Kohli was dismissed after hitting Jason Holder for consecutive sixes.
Middle-order wobble but Krunal finishes
RCB briefly lost momentum when Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma fell in quick succession. At one stage, they needed 31 runs from four overs with five wickets down.
Krunal Pandya then stepped up and shifted the game decisively. He struck Manav Suthar for two fours and a six in the 18th over, reducing the pressure significantly.
In the next over, he hit a boundary off Jason Holder and then calmly finished the match with a controlled pull shot to fine leg.
RCB’s clinical chase, powered by Kohli’s experience and Padikkal’s aggression, proved too strong for Gujarat Titans. Despite Sudharsan’s milestone century and a solid start, GT’s inability to accelerate late in the innings ultimately cost them the match. Stay tuned with JUSZNEWS for regular updates!