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 put on a masterclass of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling to secure their place in the grand finale. Driven by a sensational captain’s knock and a relentless bowling display, Bengaluru completely outclassed the Titans, leaving fans in absolute awe of their dominant 92-run victory.
Rajat Patidar lights up the stage with a sensational knock against GT
Choosing to bat first on a pristine Dharamsala surface, RCB lost Venkatesh Iyer early for 19. However, the foundational blocks were steadily laid by a 25-ball 43 from Virat Kohli and a brisk 30 from Devdutt Padikkal. When both departed in quick succession leaving RCB at 94/3, skipper Rajat Patidar took center stage and turned the match on its head.
Patidar played an innings for the ages, launching a relentless assault on the Gujarat bowling lineup. The RCB captain raced to his half-century in just 21 deliveries and finished with a staggering, unbeaten 93 runs off a mere 33 balls. Striking at an astronomical rate of 281.81, Patidar clobbered 5 fours and 9 towering sixes.
He found an able ally in Krunal Pandya, who contributed a valuable 43 off 28 balls. The duo stitched together a crucial partnership that completely deflated the GT spinners and pacers alike. Late cameos, including a 5-ball 15 from Jitesh Sharma, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth total of 254/5 in their allotted 20 overs. For Gujarat, Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/39, while Kagiso Rabada picked up two scalps but bled 54 runs in his 4 overs.
RCB storm into the IPL 2026 Final after crushing GT in Qualifier 1
Chasing a daunting target of 255 runs, the Gujarat Titans needed a flying start but instead suffered a catastrophic top-order collapse during the Powerplay. New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy broke through first, removing Sai Sudharsan (14) via a hit-wicket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then dealt a massive blow by cleaning up GT skipper Shubman Gill for just 2 runs.
The collapse turned into a procession as Josh Hazlewood dismissed the dangerous Jos Buttler for 29, and Rasikh Salam removed Nishant Sindhu (5) and Holder (0) in the exact same over. Stripped of their core, the Titans found themselves reeling at a miserable 51/5 by the end of the mandatory Powerplay.
Rahul Tewatia put up a heroic, lone fightback for the Titans, smashing a gritty 68 runs off 43 balls, decorated with 8 fours and 4 sixes. He formed a frustrating 50-run partnership for the ninth wicket alongside Mohammed Siraj to delay the inevitable. However, the target was simply too far out of reach.
Duffy finished as the chief destroyer with exceptional figures of 3/39, well supported by Bhuvneshwar (2/28) and Rasikh Salam (2/24). Pandya wrapped up the tail, taking 2/16, as Gujarat Titans were bundled out for 162 in 19.3 overs. With this clinical 92-run victory, RCB officially sealed their IPL 2026 Final berth, sending their global fanbase into absolute raptures.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Rajat Patidar powers RCB to a record-breaking total against GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
Here’s how fans reacted:
What a blazing show at Dharamshala! 🔥 RCB’s lethal bowling unit absolutely dismantled GT by a massive 92 runs in Qualifier 1, officially sealing our glorious berth in the IPL 2026 Final! Next stop: the trophy. Let’s go, Challengers! 🔴💪👑#RCBvsGT #IPL2026 #PlayBold #RCB… pic.twitter.com/OL0U0ecRxP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 26, 2026
Rajat Patidar today
Batting 🔥
Captaincy 🔥
Fielding 🔥
Calm 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥— Krishna Goutham (@nkgoutham) May 26, 2026
🚨 Rajat Patidar single-handedly turned chokers franchise into a dominant champion side.
He literally won the trophy for RCB in his very first year as captain itself and Now, he has once again helped RCB reach the finals with his monster batting and excellent captaincy.
— TEJASH 🚩 (@LoyleRohitFan) May 26, 2026
Captain Dhurandhar Rajat Patidar plays for my club ❤️🥹
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 club 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 shown what a champion side they are with that kind of performance in a play-off. This innings by Rajat Patidar, could be the innings of the tournament. He is a sublime player when he gets 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 won trophies every where he has worked.
In IPL – 2 play offs with LSG and after that LSG never even came closer to play offs.
RCB – play offs , trophy and finals this year so far. That’s how important is to have a coach who knows how to bring…— Prasanna (@prasannalara) May 26, 2026
RCB ARE INTO THE FINALS OF IPL 2026. 🏆
– IPL champions of 2025 going for the back to back titles! pic.twitter.com/9uM4jtZr4f
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 26, 2026
Dominant in every department! What a way to book your spot in the Final! One more win to go… 🏆♥️ #RCB pic.twitter.com/obkyiC8OfK
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 26, 2026
RCB are not defending champions; they’re ‘Attacking champions’ #IPL2026
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) May 26, 2026
Learn to cope with aggression because it ain’t ending anytime sooner, started in 2008 and will continue until he calls it off a day ✍🏻 pic.twitter.com/LuzqpOAWmf
— ` (@OxygenKohlii18) May 26, 2026
Also WATCH: Shubman Gill takes a stunning running catch to dismiss dangerous Venkatesh Iyer in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1
