Rajat Patidar's Stellar Performance Leads RCB to IPL Final

RCB Secures Spot in IPL Final with Dominant Victory

In a thrilling encounter in Dharamsala, Gujarat Titans faced a crushing defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who triumphed by 92 runs in the IPL 2026 Qualifier match. Rajat Patidar's explosive innings of 93 not out off just 33 balls was pivotal in RCB's impressive performance.

The defending champions, RCB, have now advanced to their second consecutive IPL final. Patidar's remarkable innings included nine sixes and five fours, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.

Entering the game at a solid 93-1 in 8.2 overs, Patidar formed a crucial 95-run partnership with Krunal Pandya, who contributed 43 runs, and later added 40 runs with Jitesh Sharma, leading RCB to a formidable total of 254/5 in their allotted overs. In response, the Titans could only muster 162 runs, resulting in their defeat.

Glenn Phillips, speaking at the post-match press conference, commended Patidar's aggressive batting style, noting his ability to maintain his attacking approach regardless of the match situation. He emphasized Patidar's leadership qualities and his understanding of his strengths, which shone through during his innings.

"He’s an exceptional player, and when he’s in form, it doesn’t matter what others are doing. He strikes the ball cleanly and knows his areas well. As captain, he sets the tone for how he wants his team to play," Phillips remarked.

In the chase, Gujarat Titans struggled significantly, with only Rahul Tewatia (68 runs off 43 balls) and Jos Buttler (29 runs off 11 balls) managing to score above 20 runs, leading to their collapse at 162 all out.

Early breakthroughs by Jacob Duffy (3 wickets for 39 runs) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 wickets for 28 runs) dismantled the Titans' top order, causing their innings to unravel swiftly.

With this victory, RCB has reached the IPL final for the fifth time, ranking third in all-time appearances, following Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.