RCB Dominates Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Final with Stellar Bowling Performance

RCB's Bowling Excellence Shines in IPL Final

In the IPL 2026 final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning champions, successfully limited the Gujarat Titans (GT) to a modest score of 155 runs for 8 wickets. The standout bowlers for RCB were Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, and Josh Hazlewood, who delivered exceptional performances.

The Titans struggled to gain momentum due to RCB's effective bowling strategy, which included precise Powerplay bowling and sharp spin in the middle overs, leading to a significant collapse in their top order.

After winning the toss, RCB's captain Rajat Patidar opted to field first. The seamers quickly established their dominance, with Josh Hazlewood dismissing Shubman Gill for just 10 runs in the third over as he attempted an aggressive start.

Sai Sudharsan, contributing only 12 runs, soon followed Gill back to the pavilion after edging a short ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, caught easily by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. By the end of the Powerplay, GT found themselves struggling at 45 for 2, with Jos Buttler and Nishant Sindhu at the crease.

The introduction of spin further complicated matters for Gujarat. Krunal Pandya bowled a tight seventh over, conceding only five runs, which increased the pressure on the batters. Nishant Sindhu, trying to break free, fell to Rasikh Salam Dar after scoring 20 runs off 18 balls.

RCB's bowlers maintained their grip, and GT could only manage 73 runs for 3 wickets after 12 overs. Krunal Pandya struck again in the 13th over, dismissing Jos Buttler, who scored 19 runs off 23 balls, leaving GT at 83 for 4.

Arshad Khan and Washington Sundar attempted to stabilize the innings, scoring 16 runs in the 14th over, but Hazlewood quickly dismissed Arshad for 15 runs in the next over.

After 15 overs, GT was at 105 for 5, with Sundar joined by Rahul Tewatia. RCB's bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Rasikh Salam Dar taking Tewatia's wicket in the 17th over, leaving GT at 121 for 6.

Sundar and Jason Holder managed to score 16 runs in the 18th over, bringing GT closer to 150 runs at 137 for 6. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to claim Holder's wicket for 7 runs in the penultimate over, leaving GT at 145 for 7.

Rashid Khan entered the fray and hit a six off the first ball of the final over but was dismissed by Rasikh Salam Dar on the next delivery, reducing GT to 151 for 8. Sundar reached a commendable fifty off 37 balls, but GT could only add four more runs, finishing their innings at 155 for 8.

RCB now requires 156 runs to secure their title defense in the IPL.

For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar excelled with figures of 3 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood each took 2 wickets. Krunal Pandya also contributed with a wicket.