Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into a second successive Indian Premier League final with a commanding 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, as captain Rajat Patidar praised the side’s collective effort after a record-breaking performance.
RCB posted 254-5, the highest total in IPL playoff history, before bowling out Gujarat Titans for 162 to book a place in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on May 31.
“This team does not depend on just one person,” Patidar said after the match. “Everyone is contributing for the team, and that is a very positive sign.”
Patidar led from the front with a blistering 93 off 33 balls, including five fours and nine sixes, helping RCB seize control in the middle overs.
“Initially, I was just trying to assess the wicket and understand which areas I could target,” he said. “Then there comes a stage where you stop thinking too much and focus only on maximising the momentum.”
Devdutt Padikkal scored 30 off 19 balls and shared a 72-run stand with Virat Kohli, who crossed 600 runs in an IPL season for a record sixth time.
RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik credited the side’s aggressive approach and strong body language throughout the match.
The victory keeps alive RCB’s hopes of becoming only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend its title.
