Royal Challengers Bengaluru's pace attack delivered a clinical Powerplay blitz and sustained pressure to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 31 May. Rasikh Salam Dar's career-best spell of 3-27 was the standout, though a composed, unbeaten 50 from Washington Sundar kept GT's hopes alive heading into the second innings.

Powerplay Damage by Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar

Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar exploited the bounce and movement on the mixed-soil pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, consistently bowling back-of-a-length deliveries to unsettle GT's top order. The in-form Shubman Gill was the first to go, dismissed for 10 after slicing a short-arm pull to a running Rajat Patidar at mid-off off Hazlewood. B Sai Sudharsan, who had struck successive fours in a 13-run opening over off Jacob Duffy, followed for 12, top-edging a Bhuvneshwar bouncer to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.

Rasikh Salam Dar's Match-Defining Spell

Rasikh Salam Dar produced his best figures of the IPL 2026 season, finishing with 3-27. With no boundary coming after the Powerplay, Nishant Sindhu was forced to attack Rasikh but holed out to long-on for 20. Rahul Tewatia miscued a loft off a cross-seam Rasikh delivery and gave a straightforward catch to mid-on. Rashid Khan launched a mighty six off Rasikh to push GT past the 150-mark but holed out on the very next ball to deep square leg.

Washington Sundar's Anchoring Half-Century

Washington Sundar was the lone bright spot in a GT innings that was frequently under siege. He survived an early reprieve on 4 when a catch taken by Jordan Cox was ruled grounded, and capitalised fully, anchoring the innings with a composed 50 not out off 37 balls, laced with five boundaries. His partnership with Arshad Khan — who struck the innings' first six in the 13th over, ending a 40-ball boundary drought that was reportedly the longest by any team in an IPL 2026 innings — briefly lifted GT spirits before Hazlewood removed Arshad for 15.

Buttler Stumped, Krunal Tidies Up

Jos Buttler, visibly frustrated by dot balls, advanced to attack Krunal Pandya but was undone by a quick wide yorker, with Jitesh completing a sharp stumping. Krunal was the lone spinner deployed and finished a disciplined 1-23. Jason Holder top-edged to Hazlewood off Bhuvneshwar, further depleting GT's lower order.

Context and What's at Stake

Notably, 155 is the same score GT had restricted RCB to in the league-stage meeting at this very venue. In the pressure of a grand finale, however, the total appears below par against a RCB batting line-up headlined by Virat Kohli. RCB need 156 to claim the title. This is the IPL 2026 final, making every run and wicket consequential — the result will decide which franchise lifts the trophy.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (yet to bat).