Rajat Patidar's breathtaking unbeaten 93 off 39 balls steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a commanding 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on Tuesday, 27 May. The defending champions will now appear in the IPL final for the second consecutive year, having posted a record-breaking 254/5 before dismissing Gujarat Titans for 162.

Patidar Sets the Tone with a Blazing Knock

RCB captain Patidar walked in with the innings well underway and immediately shifted the contest into a different gear. His assault — 93 runs off just 39 deliveries — came after early contributions from Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal, who collectively set a brisk platform at the top. Krunal Pandya partnered Patidar through the middle overs as the pair took complete control, helping RCB post what proved to be an insurmountable total.

Reflecting on his knock, Patidar described his method as measured aggression. 'My batting approach is usually the same. I like to take around 8-10 balls at the start to understand how the wicket is behaving and what the ball is doing. After that, I get a clear idea about how to go ahead,' he said. 'I always like to put the bowler under pressure, and I don't worry too much about the wicket,' he added.

Attacking Mindset Was the Pre-Match Blueprint

Patidar revealed that the dressing room conversation ahead of the match centred on body language and fearless intent — especially given the magnitude of a Qualifier 1. 'We had a chat in the meeting that we needed good body language and an attacking mindset. It was Qualifier 1, a big stage, and the way we dominated the game was superb,' the RCB skipper said.

'It was a super game for us. The way especially the batsmen dominated, and everyone was striking with intent, I think that was really good for us. It was not about having one clear plan against the bowlers, but we were ready for the challenge. You have to show some body language that we are coming for you. That attitude was there in every batsman,' Patidar said after the match.

Bowlers Complete the Job as GT Collapse in Powerplay

Gujarat Titans lost five wickets inside the powerplay and never mounted a credible chase. Patidar credited his bowlers for sticking to a disciplined, stump-to-stump line on a surface that offered decent bounce. 'To be honest, the wicket was not that easy for hitting long sixes consistently because there was good bounce. The bowlers executed their plans really well and bowled more on the stumps, which helped us,' he said.

RCB's tactical plan was built around neutralising Gujarat Titans' dangerous top order — specifically Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler, who had been among the tournament's most consistent performers. 'We knew GT's main strength was their top three, so we were clear that we had to get them out inside the power play. Thankfully, it worked for us,' Patidar noted.

Road to the Final

The victory confirms RCB's place in the IPL 2026 final — a direct route earned by winning Qualifier 1 — as the defending champions look to retain the title. Patidar kept his eye firmly on what comes next: 'It will be important to recover well now and then go for the final,' he said. The result is a statement of intent from a side that has now combined explosive batting with composed bowling in the knockout stage.