Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to get to their second consecutive IPL final after captain Rajat Patidar’s incredible innings of undefeated 93 off just 33 balls and a vicious pace attack that destroyed their opponents’ top order during the powerplay.
After being given reprieves early in his innings, Patidar produced one of the most devastating knocks of the season, peppering the boundaries with apparent ease as RCB amassed a formidable 254/5.
Gujarat Titans needed to get out to a fast start in order to chase a massive target, but both of their in-form openers left cheaply during the powerplay.
When Sai Sudharsan attempted a shot off Jacob Duffy (3/39), his bat slipped out of his hands and slammed into the stumps, leaving him startled on 14. This proved to be an odd dismissal.
Soon after, GT suffered another blow as captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for just two by the fiery Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who once again demonstrated his skill with the new ball.
Bhuvneshwar (2/28) demonstrated that he is still a valuable member of any team. He now has 26 scalps and a Purple Cap. Gujarat was put firmly on the defensive against an intensified RCB attack by the twin strikes.
The Titans were left gasping at 51/5 when Josh Hazlewood (1/39) entered the fray by dismissing Jos Buttler (29) and Rasikh Salam twice in the last powerplay over, dismissing Jason Holder (0) and Nishant Sandhu (5).
A desperate GT appeared to have given in to pressure from the scoreboard, quickly turning the match of equals into a lopsided contest.
Impact player Rahul Tewatiya (68), and Washington Sundar (8) faced an unfavorable challenge. Given the difficulty GT faced, the game had already been reduced to a formality.
RCB advanced to their fifth final (2009, 2011, 2016, 2025, 2026) after GT was eventually bowled out for 162.
GT, the 2022 champions, will play the winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan Royal and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, giving them another chance to go to the final.
Earlier, defending champions RCB were powered to 254/5 thanks to a blitzkrieg knock by captain Rajat Patidar.
After surviving two missed catches, Patidar reversed the tide of the match with an incredible 33-ball 93, blasting nine sixes and five fours as RCB amassed 86 runs in the final five overs, scoring 114 runs in the final six overs.
Venkatesh Iyer (19) used bold strokeplay, including three early boundaries, to take on Mohammed Siraj at the start of the innings. However, Kagiso Rabada dismissed Iyer for 19 shortly after he was struck for a six.
Rabada also put Virat Kohli to the test with his quick pace and bounce, but the RCB hero overcame the test to score a quick 43. Together with Devdutt Padikkal (30), Kohli made sure RCB kept up the pace, leading the team to a dominant 76 for one in the powerplay.
GT used disciplined middle-overs bowling to fight their way back. Jason Holder struck twice in three deliveries to remove Kohli and Padikkal, while Rashid Khan produced tight overs that considerably slowed RCB’s advance. At first, Kulwant Khejroliya also maintained order as the Titans seemed to have taken back control.
But when Patidar, who was then on 18 and 20, was dropped twice off Prasidh Krishna in the 14th over, the game took a drastic turn. Soon after, GT’s fielding collapsed as Khejroliya let up 28 runs in an error-prone over that included two no-balls, a wide, and misfields.
While Krunal Pandya offered strong support in a quick 95-run partnership, Patidar capitalized ruthlessly, tearing into both Khejroliya and Rashid Khan. Before Rabada broke the streak, Krunal scored 43, but Patidar had already fully turned the tide in RCB’s favor.
The championship holders completed with one of the biggest totals in IPL playoff history thanks to the RCB captain, who reached his fifty with a six off Rabada and carried on the carnage till the very end.
