RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 Review: Rajat Patidar Powers Bengaluru Into IPL 2026 Final

Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs

The Story

RCB attacked from the very first over through Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli before Rajat Patidar unleashed complete carnage in the second half of the innings.

After posting a massive 254/5 – the highest playoff total in IPL history — RCB’s bowlers destroyed Gujarat Titans in the Powerplay and reduced them to 51/5.

Rahul Tewatia fought hard with a lone counterattack, but the target proved far beyond GT’s reach.

Match Summary

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 254/5 in 20 overs

Gujarat Titans: 162 all out in 19.3 overs

Result: RCB won by 92 runs

Player of the Match: Rajat Patidar – 93* off 33 balls

Match Story

RCB came out with aggressive intent from ball one. Venkatesh Iyer smashed 19 off just 7 balls before Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal continued the momentum with attacking strokeplay.

Kohli scored a fluent 43 off 25 balls, while Padikkal added 30 off 19. Gujarat Titans briefly fought back through Jason Holder, who dismissed both Kohli and Padikkal in the same over.

However, Rajat Patidar then completely changed the game.

After surviving a dropped catch from Kagiso Rabada, the RCB captain launched a brutal counterattack. Alongside Krunal Pandya’s valuable 43, Patidar destroyed GT’s bowling attack with fearless six-hitting.

RCB smashed 114 runs in the final six overs, with Patidar finishing unbeaten on 93 off just 33 balls, including nine massive sixes.

Chasing 255, Gujarat Titans needed a dream start but instead suffered a collapse.

Sai Sudharsan was out hit wicket, Shubman Gill fell cheaply, and Jos Buttler’s explosive 29 ended when Josh Hazlewood bowled him with a slower delivery.

GT slipped to 51/5 inside the Powerplay, effectively ending the contest.

Rahul Tewatia fought alone with a spirited 68 off 43 balls, but wickets kept falling around him as RCB tightened complete control over the chase.

GT were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs, handing RCB a massive 92-run victory.

Top Performers

Rajat Patidar: 93* off 33 balls – one of the greatest IPL playoff knocks.

Krunal Pandya: 43 off 28 & 2/16 – outstanding all-round contribution.

Rahul Tewatia: 68 off 43 – lone warrior for Gujarat Titans.

Jacob Duffy: 3/39 – crucial breakthroughs during the chase.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/28 – brilliant Powerplay control.

Rasikh Salam Dar: 2/24 – important middle-order wickets.

Turning Point

The biggest turning point came when Kagiso Rabada dropped Rajat Patidar in the 14th over.

At that stage, GT still had a chance to restrict RCB below 220.

Instead, Patidar exploded after the reprieve and completely destroyed Gujarat’s bowling attack, turning a strong total into an almost impossible target.

What Went Wrong for Gujarat Titans

GT completely lost control during the death overs and leaked 114 runs in the final six overs.

Their fielding errors, including Patidar’s dropped catch, proved extremely costly.

The top-order collapse during the chase also ended their hopes very early, with Gill, Sudharsan and Buttler all falling inside the Powerplay.

Rahul Tewatia fought hard, but Gujarat never built any meaningful partnerships after the early collapse.

Player of the Match: Rajat Patidar

This was Rajat Patidar’s defining IPL captaincy performance.

On the biggest stage of the season, he completely dominated one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament and carried RCB to the highest playoff total in IPL history.

His fearless batting changed the momentum of the game and gave RCB complete control before the innings break itself.

Playoff Impact

With this victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru directly qualified for the IPL 2026 final.

RCB will now travel to Ahmedabad for the title clash with huge momentum and confidence.

Gujarat Titans still remain alive in the tournament and will now play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator.

Final Analysis

RCB looked like a complete championship side in this Qualifier 1.

Their batting attacked relentlessly, their bowlers executed plans perfectly, and their fielding intensity never dropped.

For Gujarat Titans, this was one of their toughest nights of the season. Their bowlers lost control under pressure, and their batting lineup collapsed when it mattered most.

RCB now stand just one win away from another IPL title, and after this performance, they will enter the final as serious favourites.