Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into a second consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) final after crushing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 of the TATA IPL 2026 on Tuesday night in Dharamshala.

A record-breaking batting display powered Bengaluru to 254 for 5 — the highest team total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match — before their bowlers dismantled Gujarat for 162 in 19.3 overs.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a devastating unbeaten 93 from just 33 balls, smashing nine sixes and five boundaries at a strike rate above 280. His explosive innings ensured the defending champions secured direct qualification to the IPL 2026 final while Gujarat Titans were pushed into the Eliminator route.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Gujarat made an early breakthrough when Kagiso Rabada dismissed Venkatesh Iyer for 19 off seven deliveries. However, the momentum quickly shifted as Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal launched an aggressive counterattack, helping RCB race to 76 for 1 in the powerplay.

Gujarat briefly fought back through Jason Holder, who removed both Kohli and Padikkal in quick succession. Kohli scored 43 from 25 balls while Padikkal added 30 off 19.

But Patidar then took complete control alongside Krunal Pandya, with the pair adding 95 runs for the fourth wicket. Krunal contributed a valuable 43 from 28 deliveries before Patidar unleashed a brutal assault on the Gujarat attack in the closing overs.

A late cameo from Jitesh Sharma, who struck 15 not out from five balls, pushed Bengaluru past the 250 mark.

Chasing a daunting 255, Gujarat’s innings collapsed almost immediately under relentless pressure from the RCB pace attack. Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar ripped through the top order as Gujarat slumped to 65 for 6.

Captain Shubman Gill managed only two runs, while Jos Buttler briefly threatened with a rapid 29 off 11 balls before falling to Josh Hazlewood.

Only Rahul Tewatia offered sustained resistance, battling to 68 from 43 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes. However, the required rate continued to climb as RCB’s bowlers maintained control.

Duffy finished with 3 for 39, while Rasikh Salam claimed 2 for 24 and Krunal Pandya wrapped up the innings with 2 for 16.

The IPL 2026 Eliminator will be played today between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. Cricket fans in Afghanistan can watch the action live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

The 16th edition of the Hellas Rally Raid 2026 got underway on Monday in the coastal town of Pefki on the Greek island of Evia, launching a week of intense rally raid competition featuring more than 220 riders from over 27 countries.

The opening stage challenged competitors with a demanding 100-kilometre route that tested navigation precision, endurance and river-crossing skills across varied terrain from the very first kilometres of the race.

Defending champion Jacopo Cerutti of Aprilia Racing claimed victory in Stage 1 after delivering a strong performance marked by accurate navigation and controlled speed throughout the course.

Thomas Marini finished second overall, while French rider Julien Jagu secured third place to complete the podium.

Greek riders Kimon Karampelas and Ioannis Sevastopoulos rounded out the top five, underlining the emergence of new local talent in the rally raid scene.

In the SSV category, the pairing of Galgani and Meffre posted the fastest time of the day with a consistent performance, finishing ahead of Lacam and Delfino in second place. Herbain and Durame completed the podium in third, just four minutes behind the leaders, setting up a competitive battle for the remaining stages.

Following the conclusion of Stage 1, riders gathered in the central square of the Municipality of Istiea for the official opening ceremony, where teams and competitors presented themselves ahead of six more days of racing across Greece’s rugged landscapes.

Organisers said the coming stages are expected to bring even greater technical and endurance challenges as the rally progresses through Evia.