Royal Challengers Bengaluru booked their place in the IPL 2026 final with a commanding 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala. It was a complete performance from RCB, who dominated with both bat and ball to become the first team through to the title clash.
RCB put up a massive 254 for 5, the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history. The innings was led by captain Rajat Patidar, who played one of the finest knocks of the season. Patidar remained unbeaten on 93 from just 33 balls and smashed nine sixes. He was dropped early when on 20, and GT paid heavily for that mistake.
Virat Kohli gave RCB a flying start with 43 off 25 balls, keeping the pressure on from the powerplay. Krunal Pandya added a valuable 43 off 28, while Devdutt Padikkal chipped in with 30 off 19 to keep the momentum going through the middle overs.
The real damage came at the death. RCB tore into the Titans’ attack and smashed 114 runs in the final six overs, turning a strong total into a near-impossible target.
GT’s bowlers had no answers. Kagiso Rabada finished with 2 for 54, while Prasidh Krishna went for 53. Only Jason Holder and Rashid Khan managed to briefly slow RCB in the middle overs.
Chasing 255, Gujarat Titans never settled. Scoreboard pressure showed immediately as wickets kept falling. Captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for just 2, and Jos Buttler made 29 before falling.
GT slipped to 88 for 8, and the chase was effectively over before the halfway stage.
Rahul Tewatia fought hard with a spirited 68 off 43 balls and helped reduce the margin, but GT were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.
RCB’s bowling attack was clinical from the start. Jacob Duffy led the way with 3 for 26. Krunal Pandya followed up his batting effort with 2 for 16, while Rasikh Salam chipped in with 2 for 24.
One step closer. 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/vN49DdhwTC
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 26, 2026
What’s Next?
With the win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru move directly into the IPL 2026 final and now await their opponent.
Gujarat Titans are still alive in the tournament because of their top-two finish in the league stage. They will now travel to Chennai for Qualifier 2 on May 29, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.