Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a near-perfect performance to dismantle Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 in Dharamsala on Tuesday, booking their place in the final with one of the most dominant playoff victories in tournament history.
After posting a mammoth 254/5 — the highest-ever team total in an IPL playoff match — RCB reduced GT to 156/8 after 18 overs, leaving the Titans staring at a crushing defeat despite a fighting half-century from Rahul Tewatia.
The night belonged to RCB captain Rajat Patidar, whose sensational 93 off just 33 balls completely changed the complexion of the contest and left Gujarat’s bowling attack helpless.
Rajat Patidar Leads RCB Batting Carnage
RCB got off to an explosive start after being asked to bat, with Virat Kohli continuing his remarkable consistency at the top.
Kohli smashed 43 off 25 deliveries and, in the process, became the first player in IPL history to register four consecutive 600-plus run seasons. His latest milestone further cemented his status as one of the league’s greatest-ever batters.
However, Gujarat briefly fought back when Jason Holder struck twice in quick succession to slow RCB’s momentum.
That phase did little to stop Bengaluru’s charge.
Krunal Pandya counter-attacked with a brisk 43 off 28 balls before Patidar unleashed complete destruction in the middle overs. The RCB skipper hammered nine sixes and five boundaries during his breathtaking innings, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls.
Patidar combined fearless strokeplay with calculated aggression, dismantling both pace and spin as Gujarat’s bowlers struggled for answers throughout the innings.
Tim David also provided late fireworks as RCB raced past the 250-run mark.
Gujarat Titans Suffer Horror Start
Chasing a daunting target of 255, Gujarat Titans never truly entered the contest.
The disaster began early when opener Sai Sudharsan was dismissed in bizarre fashion after getting hit-wicket. Captain Shubman Gill also failed to make an impact as RCB’s bowlers ripped through the top order.
GT lost five wickets inside the powerplay, effectively ending hopes of a miraculous chase.
RCB’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, forcing errors and ensuring Gujarat never recovered from the early collapse.
Despite the chaos around him, Rahul Tewatia played a lone hand for the Titans. The all-rounder brought up a fighting fifty and attempted to reduce the margin of defeat, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
By the 18th over, Gujarat were reeling at 156/8, with Mohammed Siraj accompanying Tewatia at the crease.
Virat Kohli Creates Historic IPL Record
While Patidar stole the spotlight with his explosive knock, Kohli quietly added another major milestone to his glittering IPL career.
The former RCB captain became the first batter in IPL history to score 600 or more runs in four successive seasons.
His 2026 tally now joins previous 600-plus campaigns in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2016 and 2013, highlighting his unmatched longevity and consistency in the tournament.
RCB One Step Away From Title Defence
With the emphatic win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured direct qualification to the IPL 2026 final and will now await the winner of Qualifier 2.
For Gujarat Titans, the heavy defeat means they will get one more opportunity to stay alive in the tournament, but major questions remain over their batting approach and bowling execution under pressure.
RCB, meanwhile, look unstoppable at the perfect time.