The scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala witnessed absolute cricketing carnage on Tuesday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026. In a high-stakes encounter, RCB placed on a masterclass of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling to safe their place within the grand finale. Pushed by a sensational captain’s knock and a relentless bowling show, Bengaluru fully outclassed the Titans, leaving followers in absolute awe of their dominant 92-run victory.
Rajat Patidar lights up the stage with a sensational knock in opposition to GT
Selecting to bat first on a pristine Dharamsala floor, RCB misplaced Venkatesh Iyer early for 19. Nonetheless, the foundational blocks have been steadily laid by a 25-ball 43 from Virat Kohli and a brisk 30 from Devdutt Padikkal. When each departed in fast succession leaving RCB at 94/3, skipper Rajat Patidar took middle stage and turned the match on its head.
Patidar performed an innings for the ages, launching a relentless assault on the Gujarat bowling lineup. The RCB captain raced to his half-century in simply 21 deliveries and completed with a staggering, unbeaten 93 runs off a mere 33 balls. Placing at an astronomical charge of 281.81, Patidar clobbered 5 fours and 9 towering sixes.
He discovered an ready ally in Krunal Pandya, who contributed a invaluable 43 off 28 balls. The duo stitched collectively an important partnership that fully deflated the GT spinners and pacers alike. Late cameos, together with a 5-ball 15 from Jitesh Sharma, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth complete of 254/5 of their allotted 20 overs. For Gujarat, Jason Holder was the choose of the bowlers with figures of two/39, whereas Kagiso Rabada picked up two scalps however bled 54 runs in his 4 overs.
RCB storm into the IPL 2026 Ultimate after crushing GT in Qualifier 1
Chasing a frightening goal of 255 runs, the Gujarat Titans wanted a flying begin however as an alternative suffered a catastrophic top-order collapse through the Powerplay. New Zealand fast Jacob Duffy broke via first, eradicating Sai Sudharsan (14) by way of a hit-wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then dealt a large blow by cleansing up GT skipper Shubman Gill for simply 2 runs.
The collapse became a procession as Josh Hazlewood dismissed the damaging Jos Buttler for 29, and Rasikh Salam eliminated Nishant Sindhu (5) and Holder (0) in the very same over. Stripped of their core, the Titans discovered themselves reeling at a depressing 51/5 by the tip of the obligatory Powerplay.
Rahul Tewatia put up a heroic, lone fightback for the Titans, smashing a gritty 68 runs off 43 balls, adorned with 8 fours and 4 sixes. He shaped a irritating 50-run partnership for the ninth wicket alongside Mohammed Siraj to delay the inevitable. Nonetheless, the goal was just too far out of attain.
Duffy completed because the chief destroyer with distinctive figures of three/39, effectively supported by Bhuvneshwar (2/28) and Rasikh Salam (2/24). Pandya wrapped up the tail, taking 2/16, as Gujarat Titans have been bundled out for 162 in 19.3 overs. With this scientific 92-run victory, RCB formally sealed their IPL 2026 Ultimate berth, sending their international fanbase into absolute raptures.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as Rajat Patidar powers RCB to a record-breaking total against GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
Right here’s how followers reacted:
What a blazing present at Dharamshala! 🔥 RCB’s deadly bowling unit completely dismantled GT by a large 92 runs in Qualifier 1, formally sealing our superb berth within the IPL 2026 Ultimate! Subsequent cease: the trophy. Let’s go, Challengers! 🔴💪👑#RCBvsGT #IPL2026 #PlayBold #RCB… pic.twitter.com/OL0U0ecRxP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 26, 2026
Rajat Patidar at present
Batting 🔥
Captaincy 🔥
Fielding 🔥
Calm 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥— Krishna Goutham (@nkgoutham) May 26, 2026
🚨 Rajat Patidar single-handedly turned chokers franchise right into a dominant champion aspect.
He actually received the trophy for RCB in his very first yr as captain itself and Now, he has as soon as once more helped RCB attain the finals along with his monster batting and wonderful captaincy.
— TEJASH 🚩 (@LoyleRohitFan) May 26, 2026
Captain Dhurandhar Rajat Patidar performs for my membership ❤️🥹
It’s a flex.
A privilege.
And an honor pic.twitter.com/azkJfIR0B1— ᴛᴇᴀᴏʟᴏɢʏ ☕ (@jaan_tea) May 26, 2026
Life as RCB fan since Rajat Patidar joined this membership pic.twitter.com/S9xNB8Frze
— Bhavesh 30 (@bhaveshb2005) May 26, 2026
From 11 balls 16 runs to
21 balls 50 and
33 balls 93
Brutal hitting by
RAJAT MANOHAR PATIDAR 💥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MqS1PsBme2— PEDDI._.REDDY (@Virat_Charan26) May 26, 2026
RCB have proven what a champion aspect they’re with that type of efficiency in a play-off. This innings by Rajat Patidar, might be the innings of the match. He’s a elegant participant when he will get going.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 26, 2026
Playoff-King Rajat Patidar in IPL Playoffs:
– 93*(33) vs GT Q1 2026
6 innings | 338 runs | Avg 112.66 | SR 193.14 pic.twitter.com/5aUMBBNNSm
— journalist satendrayadav (@satendrasahayo2) May 26, 2026
Andy Flower that’s the tweet.
He has received trophies each the place he has labored.
In IPL – 2 play offs with LSG and after that LSG by no means even got here nearer to play offs.
RCB – play offs , trophy and finals this yr to date. That’s how necessary is to have a coach who is aware of how one can deliver…— Prasanna (@prasannalara) May 26, 2026
RCB ARE INTO THE FINALS OF IPL 2026. 🏆
– IPL champions of 2025 going for the again to again titles! pic.twitter.com/9uM4jtZr4f
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 26, 2026
Dominant in each division! What a solution to ebook your spot within the Ultimate! Yet one more win to go… 🏆♥️ #RCB pic.twitter.com/obkyiC8OfK
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 26, 2026
RCB aren’t defending champions; they’re ‘Attacking champions’ #IPL2026
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) May 26, 2026
Study to deal with aggression as a result of it ain’t ending anytime sooner, began in 2008 and can proceed till he calls it off a day ✍🏻 pic.twitter.com/LuzqpOAWmf
— ` (@OxygenKohlii18) May 26, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Shubman Gill takes a stunning running catch to dismiss dangerous Venkatesh Iyer in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1
