RCB vs GT- IPL 2026 26th May in Qualifier 1- RCB Storm Into IPL 2026 Final After Crushing GT at Dharamsala

Rajat Patidar’s Captain’s Knock Lights Up Dharamsala

While the match featured several explosive batting performances, it was RCB captain Rajat Patidar who completely stole the show.

Coming in after the early wicket of Venkatesh Iyer, Patidar unleashed a breathtaking counterattack. His unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls included five boundaries and nine gigantic sixes at a strike rate of 281.81.

The innings shifted the momentum permanently in RCB’s favor and left the GT bowling attack helpless.

Key RCB Batting Contributions
Virat Kohli — 43 off 25
Devdutt Padikkal — 30 off 19
Krunal Pandya — 43 off 28
Jitesh Sharma — 15* off 5

RCB crossed the 250-mark thanks to an explosive finish in the final overs, where Patidar and Jitesh Sharma punished nearly every loose delivery.

GT Bowlers Struggle Under Pressure

The Gujarat bowling attack had no answers once Patidar settled in.

Jason Holder was the only bowler to maintain some control, finishing with 2 wickets for 39 runs. However, even experienced names like Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada were taken apart during the death overs.

GT conceded 65 runs in the final four overs, which ultimately proved match-defining.

Early Collapse Ends GT’s Hopes

Chasing a mammoth 255, Gujarat Titans needed a flying start but instead suffered an early collapse.

Shubman Gill fell cheaply for 2
Jos Buttler smashed a quick 29 but couldn’t continue
GT slipped to 51/5 inside six overs

RCB’s bowling attack kept relentless pressure from both ends.

Best RCB Bowling Figures
Jacob Duffy — 3/39
Bhuvneshwar Kumar — 2/28
Rasikh Salam — 2/24
Krunal Pandya — 2/16

Although Rahul Tewatia fought hard with a spirited 68 off 43 balls, the target was simply too massive.

Virat Kohli Continues Playoff Brilliance

Another big positive for RCB was the form of Virat Kohli. The star batter looked in complete control during his 43-run innings and once again delivered in a pressure game.

His partnership with Patidar stabilized the innings after the early wicket and laid the foundation for the late assault.

Turning Point of the Match

The game changed completely during overs 9 to 18 of RCB’s innings. Patidar and Krunal Pandya attacked both pace and spin aggressively, preventing GT from building any pressure.

By the time Patidar entered full destruction mode in the death overs, the match had almost slipped out of Gujarat’s hands.

Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 254/5 (20 overs)
Rajat Patidar — 93* (33)
Krunal Pandya — 43 (28)
Virat Kohli — 43 (25)
Gujarat Titans – 162 all out (19.3 overs)
Rahul Tewatia — 68 (43)
Jos Buttler — 29 (11)
Result

Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 92 runs and qualified for the IPL 2026 Final.

Player of the Match

Without any debate, Rajat Patidar was the undisputed Player of the Match for his extraordinary captain’s innings that completely changed the contest.

Final Thoughts

RCB fans will now dream bigger than ever. With explosive batting, experienced bowling, and a captain leading from the front, Bengaluru suddenly look like the most dangerous side left in the tournament.

For Gujarat Titans, the defeat was painful, but they still have another opportunity through Qualifier 2.