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 towards GT
Selecting to bat first on a pristine Dharamsala floor, RCB misplaced Venkatesh Iyer early for 19. Nevertheless, the foundational blocks had 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. Putting at an astronomical fee of 281.81, Patidar clobbered 5 fours and 9 towering sixes.
He discovered an ready ally in Krunal Pandya, who contributed a beneficial 43 off 28 balls. The duo stitched collectively a vital 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 whole 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 Remaining 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 in the course of the Powerplay. New Zealand fast Jacob Duffy broke by way of first, eradicating Sai Sudharsan (14) through 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 harmful 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 top 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 fashioned a irritating 50-run partnership for the ninth wicket alongside Mohammed Siraj to delay the inevitable. Nevertheless, the goal was just too far out of attain.
Duffy completed because the chief destroyer with distinctive figures of three/39, nicely supported by Bhuvneshwar (2/28) and Rasikh Salam (2/24). Pandya wrapped up the tail, taking 2/16, as Gujarat Titans had been bundled out for 162 in 19.3 overs. With this medical 92-run victory, RCB formally sealed their IPL 2026 Remaining berth, sending their international fanbase into absolute raptures.
Additionally READ: Followers erupt as Rajat Patidar powers RCB to a record-breaking whole towards 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 wonderful berth within the IPL 2026 Remaining! Subsequent cease: the trophy. Let’s go, Challengers! 🔴💪👑#RCBvsGT #IPL2026 #PlayBold #RCB… pic.twitter.com/OL0U0ecRxP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) Could 26, 2026
Rajat Patidar right now
Batting 🔥Captaincy 🔥Fielding 🔥Calm 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Krishna Goutham (@nkgoutham) Could 26, 2026
🚨 Rajat Patidar single-handedly turned chokers franchise right into a dominant champion aspect.
He actually gained 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 together with his monster batting and glorious captaincy.
I… pic.twitter.com/kFWETsilp6
— TEJASH 🚩 (@LoyleRohitFan) Could 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) Could 26, 2026
Life as RCB fan since Rajat Patidar joined this membership pic.twitter.com/S9xNB8Frze
— Bhavesh 30 (@bhaveshb2005) Could 26, 2026
From 11 balls 16 runs to 21 balls 50 and 33 balls 93Brutal hitting by RAJAT MANOHAR PATIDAR 💥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MqS1PsBme2
— PEDDI._.REDDY (@Virat_Charan26) Could 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, may very well be the innings of the match. He’s a chic participant when he will get going.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) Could 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) Could 26, 2026
Andy Flower that’s the tweet.He has gained 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 up to now. That’s how essential is to have a coach who is aware of tips on how to carry…
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) Could 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) Could 26, 2026
Dominant in each division! What a method to e book your spot within the Remaining! Another win to go… 🏆♥️ #RCB pic.twitter.com/obkyiC8OfK
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) Could 26, 2026
RCB aren’t defending champions; they’re ‘Attacking champions’ #IPL2026
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) Could 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) Could 26, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Shubman Gill takes a surprising operating catch to dismiss harmful Venkatesh Iyer in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1
