📅 April 29, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
Gujarat Titans Outclass RCB in Ahmedabad as Gill, Buttler Power Clinical Chase
🌟 Jason Holder: Player of the Match – 2 wickets and 3 catches, making a major impact with both ball and fielding.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered one of their most disappointing performances of IPL 2026 as Gujarat Titans chased down 156 in just 15.5 overs.
RCB were bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs despite Devdutt Padikkal’s 40 and Virat Kohli’s quick 28. Gujarat’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, with Arshad Khan picking up three wickets and Rashid Khan delivering a tight spell of 2 wickets for just 19 runs.
📊 Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 155 all out in 19.2 overs
Gujarat Titans: 158/6 in 15.5 overs
Result: Gujarat Titans won by 4 wickets
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Player of the Matchr: Jason Holder
📖 Match Story
RCB started aggressively, reaching 59 in the Powerplay, but the early promise faded quickly. Virat Kohli looked in excellent touch during his 28 off 13 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal played the most stable knock of the innings with 40 off 24 balls.
However, once Gujarat Titans began striking through the middle overs, RCB completely lost rhythm. Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd all failed to convert their starts, leaving RCB short of a competitive total.
Arshad Khan was the standout bowler with three wickets, while Rashid Khan’s 2/19 changed the tempo of the innings. Jason Holder also played a major role with two wickets and sharp catching in the field.
In reply, Gujarat Titans came out with serious intent. Shubman Gill smashed 43 off just 18 balls, attacking Josh Hazlewood brutally in the Powerplay. Jos Buttler followed with 39 off 19 balls, ensuring GT stayed ahead despite Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s three-wicket burst.
RCB briefly created pressure through Bhuvneshwar and Romario Shepherd, but Rahul Tewatia’s unbeaten 27 and Rashid Khan’s calm finish sealed the match with 25 balls to spare.
📊 Phase-wise Comparison
| Phase | RCB | GT | Run Rate (RCB – GT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 59/2 | 69/2 | 9.83 – 11.50 |
| Middle Overs | 73/6 | 76/4 | 8.11 – 8.44 |
| Death Overs | 23/2 | 13/0 | 5.30 – 15.60 |
📌 Why Gujarat Titans Won
✔ Arshad Khan broke RCB’s lower-middle order with three important wickets.
✔ Rashid Khan controlled the middle overs with a superb spell of 2/19.
✔ Shubman Gill destroyed RCB’s Powerplay plans with 43 off 18 balls.
✔ Jos Buttler’s 39 off 19 ensured GT never fell behind the required rate.
✔ Rahul Tewatia stayed calm at the end and finished the chase without panic.
⭐ Players Who Shaped the Match
🔥 Jason Holder: 2/29 – took 3 crucial catches and picked key wickets
🔥 Shubman Gill: 43 off 18 balls – gave GT a destructive start in the chase.
🔥 Jos Buttler: 39 off 19 balls – kept Gujarat ahead even after early wickets.
🔥 Arshad Khan: 3 wickets – delivered the key blows that stopped RCB from crossing 170.
🔥 Rashid Khan: 2/19 – controlled the middle overs and removed Devdutt Padikkal.
🔥 Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 3/28 – fought hard for RCB with three top-order wickets.
🔥 Devdutt Padikkal: 40 off 24 balls – RCB’s best batter on a difficult night.
🔄 Turning Point
The biggest turning point came when Gujarat Titans reduced RCB from 79/3 to 126/8. That collapse killed RCB’s chance of posting a strong total.
In the chase, Shubman Gill’s attack on Josh Hazlewood during the Powerplay completely shifted the match towards GT.
❌ What Went Wrong for RCB
❌ RCB lost wickets in clusters after a good Powerplay.
❌ Middle-order batters failed to build partnerships.
❌ Josh Hazlewood conceded 56 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket.
❌ GT scored 69 runs in the Powerplay, putting the chase almost out of RCB’s reach.
❌ Krunal Pandya not bowling left RCB with fewer options in the chase.
🧠 Final Analysis
This was a complete performance from Gujarat Titans. Their bowlers restricted RCB below par, and their top order attacked with clarity from the first over.
For RCB, this defeat raises serious questions. Their batting collapsed after a promising start, and their bowling looked too dependent on Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Gujarat Titans now look stronger in the playoff race, while RCB will need quick corrections before their next match.
