Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) outclassed Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 at Dharamsala. After being invited to bat first, RCB posted a huge total of 254/5 on the scoreboard in 20 overs. Blazing knocks from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya, followed by a fierce innings of 93 off 33 balls from Rajat Patidar, put RCB in a commanding position early in the match. Jason Holder (2/39 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for Gujarat Titans, while Kagiso Rabada also picked up two wickets.
While chasing, Jacob Duffy (3/39 in 4 overs), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28 in 4 overs), and Rasikh Salam (2/24 in 3 overs) demolished the Gujarat Titans top order during the powerplay. By the sixth over, GT were struggling at 51/5. The situation became even worse when they slipped to 88/8 in 11.2 overs.
Rahul Tewatia tried to rescue the team and played a superb attacking knock of 68 runs off 43 balls before Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed him in the 19th over. Krunal Pandya (2/16 in 3.3 overs) then quickly wrapped things up as Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 162 with three balls remaining.
With this victory, RCB marched into the final of IPL 2026. Despite the defeat, GT are still alive in the tournament and will get another chance in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad against the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
RCB Start Strong Despite Phil Salt Absence
RCB entered the match without injured opener Phil Salt, but they did not lose momentum. The team reshuffled their overseas combination and backed their aggressive intent from the start. Venkatesh Iyer gave a flying start with early boundaries, attacking the Gujarat bowlers from the first over.
At the other end, Virat Kohli struggled initially but soon settled into rhythm with confident strokeplay. Devdutt Padikkal also contributed with fluent shots, helping RCB race to fifty in just four overs.
Although Kagiso Rabada struck back to remove Venkatesh, RCB had already built strong early momentum.
GT Fight Back Through Holder And Rashid
Gujarat Titans briefly clawed their way back into the contest through disciplined bowling. Jason Holder and Rashid Khan tightened the scoring rate and applied pressure through the middle overs.
Holder removed both Kohli and Padikkal at crucial moments, while Rashid kept things tight with economical spells. Their efforts slowed RCB down, but they could not stop the Patidar storm that followed.
Patidar Turns Game Into A One-Man Show
The turning point came when Patidar shifted gears after a slow start. After 22 quiet balls, he exploded with a powerful pull for six off Holder. From there, he took complete control of the innings.
Even when GT created chances, they failed to capitalise. Patidar was dropped on 26, and that proved costly. He went on to punish every bowler, hitting boundaries and towering sixes across the ground.
In the final overs, RCB unleashed full aggression, scoring 114 runs in the last six overs. Patidar’s shot-making stood out, including an elegant extra-cover drive off Rashid and a stunning back-foot strike over cover against Rabada that left even Kohli stunned.
At one stage, a century looked within reach, but he did not get enough strike toward the end of the innings.
GT Collapse Under Pressure From RCB Bowlers
Chasing 255, Gujarat Titans needed a miracle, but their innings never gained stability. B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill started with early boundaries, but the RCB bowling attack quickly tightened control.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck a major blow by removing Gill, continuing his dominance over the GT skipper. Meanwhile, Sudharsan’s unusual dismissal—losing his bat while playing a shot—added to GT’s misfortune.
Jos Buttler tried to counterattack with aggressive intent, but Josh Hazlewood dismissed him with a clever knuckle-ball delivery, further deepening GT’s troubles.
RCB Seal Final Spot As GT Falter
The collapse continued as GT lost wickets in clusters, including a double-wicket over that broke their resistance early in the chase. Only brief resistance from Rahul Tewatia helped reduce the margin of defeat.
RCB bowlers dominated throughout, with disciplined execution and constant pressure ensuring GT never recovered. In the end, RCB secured a comprehensive victory and booked their place in the IPL final in style.