Royal Challengers Bengaluru booked their place in the IPL final with a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala. Led by a sensational unbeaten 93 from captain Rajat Patidar, RCB delivered one of their most complete performances of the season to reach their fifth IPL final.
Batting first, RCB posted a massive 254/5 — the highest playoff total in IPL history. Patidar smashed 93 off just 33 balls, hitting nine sixes in a breathtaking innings. Virat Kohli contributed 43, while Krunal Pandya added 43 off 28 balls. Patidar turned the game in RCB’s favour after surviving a dropped catch by Kagiso Rabada, launching a brutal assault in the death overs.
RCB scored 114 runs in the final six overs, with Patidar and Jitesh Sharma punishing the GT bowlers. Gujarat’s bowlers struggled badly under pressure despite Jason Holder taking two wickets.
Chasing 255, GT suffered an early collapse as RCB’s pacers dismantled the top order in the Powerplay. Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler departed quickly, leaving the Titans with little hope.
Rahul Tewatia fought back with a valiant 68 off 43 balls, but the target proved too steep. Jacob Duffy claimed three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam Dar took two each.
RCB now head to Ahmedabad for the IPL final, while Gujarat Titans will face the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2.
