RCB Crush GT by 92 Runs to Reach IPL 2026 Final as Rajat Patidar's 93 Rewrites Playoff History
Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL 2026 final after a dominant 92-run win over the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Rajat Patidar smashed an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls as RCB posted a playoff-record 254 before their pacers dismantled GTโs batting line-up in Dharamshala.
May 27, 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered one of the most dominant playoff performances in IPL history as they completely outplayed Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Batting first, RCB started aggressively and immediately put pressure on the GT bowling attack. Venkatesh Iyer looked positive early on and gave Bengaluru quick momentum, although he could not convert his start and departed after scoring 19 runs. After his dismissal, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal took complete control during the powerplay. The duo stitched together a brilliant 72-run partnership and attacked the GT bowlers all around the ground, ensuring RCB maintained a very high scoring rate from the beginning.
Gujarat Titans found a brief opening in the match when Jason Holder produced a double breakthrough soon after the powerplay. The wickets of Kohli and Padikkal gave GT some hope of slowing the innings down. However, RCB captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya completely changed the momentum once again with an outstanding counterattack in the middle overs. Krunal played a valuable supporting role and scored 43 runs off 28 deliveries, rotating the strike well and punishing loose balls whenever required. Patidar, on the other hand, looked unstoppable from the moment he settled at the crease.
The RCB skipper produced one of the finest innings ever seen in an IPL playoff match. Patidar remained unbeaten on a sensational 93 off just 33 balls, smashing boundaries all around the ground and completely dismantling the Gujarat bowling attack. His clean hitting, fearless intent, and ability to dominate both pace and spin left GT without any answers. The innings once again highlighted why Patidarโs name is now being discussed for a place in Indiaโs T20I squad. Courtesy of his explosive knock, RCB posted a mammoth total of 254/5 in 20 overs โ the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history. Bengaluru also smashed 38 boundaries during the innings, the most by any team in an IPL playoff match.
That's how you ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐! โค๏ธ
โ IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
Defending champions @RCBTweets are on their way to a second consecutive #TATAIPL final ๐๐
Scorecard โถ๏ธ https://t.co/9rs6u5obOw#Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/1bhTGqwTok
RCB Pacers Completely Destroy GTโs Batting Line-Up
Chasing a massive target of 255, Gujarat Titans needed a near-perfect start from their top order. However, RCBโs pace attack never allowed them to settle into the chase. The pressure of the target was visible from the very beginning as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. GT suffered their worst-ever powerplay collapse in IPL history, losing five wickets inside the first six overs and effectively ending the contest very early in the innings.
One of the biggest turning points came when in-form opener Sai Sudharsan was dismissed in an unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal after scoring 14 runs off just nine balls. Sudharsan had been GTโs most consistent batter throughout IPL 2026, and his early departure immediately put the team under pressure. Captain Shubman Gill also failed to make an impact and was dismissed for just two runs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With both key batters back in the pavilion early, GTโs chase quickly started falling apart.
Jos Buttler briefly tried to keep Gujarat alive with an aggressive innings of 29 runs off just 11 balls. The England batter smashed four boundaries and two sixes and looked dangerous for a short period. However, Josh Hazlewood produced a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Buttler after an intense battle in the over. Nishant Sindhu managed only five runs, while Jason Holder departed for a duck as GT slipped further into trouble.
One year ago, Qualifier 1 led to glory ๐โค๏ธ
โ IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
Will history repeat itself for RCB in 2026? ๐
#TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/BXG9OsekK1
At the end of the powerplay, Gujarat Titans were reeling at 51/5 โ officially their worst powerplay performance in IPL history. Before this match, their previous lowest powerplay score came during IPL 2024 against Delhi Capitals, where they had lost four wickets for 30 runs in Ahmedabad. However, the collapse against RCB in Qualifier 1 turned out to be even worse considering the importance of the match and the pressure of the playoff stage.
Even after the powerplay, GT could never recover as RCBโs bowlers continued to dominate throughout the innings. Wickets kept falling regularly, and the required run rate climbed rapidly beyond control. The only resistance came from Rahul Tewatia, who played a fighting knock of 68 runs off 43 deliveries. Despite his efforts, Gujarat Titans were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs and suffered a crushing 92-run defeat โ the second-biggest defeat in IPL playoff history.
With the victory, RCB officially booked their place in the IPL 2026 final and moved one step closer to winning their maiden IPL title. Gujarat Titans, however, still remain alive in the tournament and will now face the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on May 29 for one final opportunity to reach the summit clash.