Sport
RCB crush Gujarat Titans to reach IPL Final
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.
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.