Social Media Praises Rajat Patidar as RCB Storm Into IPL 2026 Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru crushed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala to book their place in the IPL 2026 final. Rajat Patidar smashed an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls with 9 sixes, while Krunal Pandya added 43. GT collapsed to 65 for 6 despite Rahul Tewatia’s fighting 68, as Jacob Duffy and Krunal picked up 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
In Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 at Dharamsala, Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a complete performance to crush the Gujarat Titans by 92 runs and book their place in a second straight IPL final. After being asked to bat first, RCB piled up a massive 254/5 in 20 overs with captain Rajat Patidar leading from the front with a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls. His explosive innings included 5 fours and 9 sixes at a strike rate of 281.81.
RCB got off to a flying start through Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed 19 from only 7 balls, while Virat Kohli continued his fine form with 43 off 25 deliveries. Devdutt Padikkal added a brisk 30 before Krunal Pandya played an important knock of 43 from 28 balls. Patidar then completely dominated the death overs and guided RCB beyond the 250 mark. Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada picked up 2 wickets each for GT, but failed to stop the flow of runs. Chasing 255, the Gujarat Titans collapsed early, reduced to 51/5 inside 6 overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Shubman Gill cheaply, while Jacob Duffy and Rasikh Salam also struck regularly. Jos Buttler’s quick 29 off 11 gave some hope, but the innings never recovered after the early damage. Rahul Tewatia fought alone with a spirited 68 off 43 balls, but GT were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs. Duffy finished with 3 wickets, while Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh Salam, and Krunal Pandya claimed 2 wickets each.
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