Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into their second consecutive final in the Indian Premier League after a dominant 92-run victory against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. The night belonged to skipper Rajat Patidar, whose explosive 93 runs off just 33 deliveries completely changed the momentum of the match and helped RCB post a massive total.
Patidar’s fearless innings featured powerful stroke play all around the ground, keeping the run rate under control throughout the innings. His aggressive approach gave RCB a huge advantage on a batting-friendly wicket where bowlers had very little margin for error.
RCB vs GT Match Stats – Qualifier 1
| Match | RCB vs GT – IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Margin | Won by 92 Runs |
| Venue | IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 |
| Player of the Match | Rajat Patidar |
| Patidar Score | 93 Runs off 33 Balls |
| Result | RCB Enter IPL 2026 Final |
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar revealed that several players inside the dressing room actually felt losing the toss worked in their favour.
“There were four to five players, including me, who thought it was a good toss to lose because on a flat wicket like this, if you put up a big score, the opposition will have to bat really well to chase it down.”
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According to Bhuvneshwar, RCB’s bowling unit had confidence in defending a big total because of the way they had been executing their plans throughout the season. He also explained how the team used scramble seam deliveries effectively during IPL 2026 depending on wicket conditions.
The experienced pacer praised captain Rajat Patidar for his calm leadership style and maturity in handling a dressing room filled with senior players.
“Rajat is a very simple human being. He knows when to say something and when to let the bowlers do their thing.”
Former RCB star AB de Villiers highlighted the dismissal of Jos Buttler as one of the biggest turning points in the match. According to him, Josh Hazlewood showed tremendous composure under pressure with a well-executed slower delivery to remove the dangerous batter.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin also shared his views on the upcoming Eliminator clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin believes youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi could become the key factor for Rajasthan Royals if they want to progress further in the tournament.
RCB will now look to finally lift their maiden IPL trophy after reaching another final, while Gujarat Titans will have to regroup quickly for their remaining chance in the playoffs.
