Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL final with a crushing 92 run victory over Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier on Tuesday night in Dharamsala. Led by captain Rajat Patidar’s explosive unbeaten 93 and supported by Virat Kohli’s strong start, Bengaluru posted a record playoff total before bowling Gujarat out for 162. The result secured Bengaluru a place in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad and handed Gujarat a second chance through Friday’s qualifier in Chandigarh.
Patidar produced one of the finest innings of the season, smashing 93 not out from just 33 balls as Bengaluru finished on 5 for 254 after being sent in to bat first. The total became the highest ever recorded in an IPL playoff match.
“It was a big stage, qualifier one, and the way we played, the way we dominated in this game, I think that was superb,” Patidar said after being named player of the match.
The defending champions now move directly into the IPL final, while Gujarat must face the winner of the eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
Kohli lays the platform for Bengaluru
Virat Kohli once again provided Bengaluru with a strong start, scoring 43 to help build early momentum. The 37 year old continued his impressive IPL campaign as he chases back to back titles with the franchise after finally winning his maiden IPL crown in 2025.
Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal combined for a 72 run partnership for the second wicket before Gujarat briefly fought back through Jason Holder.
Holder dismissed Kohli after the former India captain dragged the ball onto his stumps. He then removed Padikkal for 30 just three balls later after the batter edged behind to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Despite the double breakthrough, Bengaluru quickly regained control through a devastating counterattack from Patidar and Krunal Pandya.
The pair added 95 runs from just 47 balls as Gujarat’s fielding completely unravelled under pressure. Kagiso Rabada dropped Patidar on 20 while multiple misfields allowed Bengaluru to pile on runs during the middle overs.
A particularly costly 15th over went for 28 runs as Patidar and Pandya launched repeated attacks on the Gujarat bowlers.
Patidar reached his half century in just 21 balls and maintained the aggression throughout the innings. Pandya eventually fell after top edging Rabada to deep mid wicket, but Bengaluru continued accelerating late in the innings.
Tim David added a brief cameo before Patidar closed the innings strongly alongside Jitesh Sharma, who smashed 15 from only five deliveries.
Gujarat collapse under pressure
Gujarat’s chase never recovered after a disastrous powerplay left them struggling at 5 for 51 inside six overs.
Sai Sudharsan initially looked dangerous, striking consecutive boundaries off Jacob Duffy. However, the opener suffered an unusual dismissal when his bat slipped from his hands and hit the stumps during a shot, resulting in a hit wicket.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar then removed Gujarat captain Shubman Gill for just two before Josh Hazlewood dismissed Jos Buttler for 29.
Rasikh Salam delivered another major blow by taking two wickets in a single over as Gujarat’s batting lineup collapsed rapidly.
At 8 for 88 in the 12th over, the match was effectively over as a contest.
Only Rahul Tewatia provided resistance for Gujarat, producing an unbeaten 68 to reduce the scale of the defeat. His innings prevented Gujarat from recording one of the lowest playoff totals in IPL history.
After the match, Gill admitted Gujarat failed badly in the field and under pressure.
“This is one of those games that we’d like to forget and start over,” Gill said.
“We do address fielding in team meetings and practice sessions. Under pressure situations we were not up to the mark.”
Bengaluru eye another IPL title
The dominant performance highlighted Bengaluru’s strength across all departments as they seek consecutive IPL championships.
Patidar’s leadership and aggressive batting approach have become central to Bengaluru’s success this season, while Kohli continues to play a key role at the top of the order despite stepping away from international Test and T20 cricket.
Bengaluru’s bowling attack also impressed with disciplined performances from Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam, who consistently exposed Gujarat’s fragile batting lineup.
The defending champions now have several days to prepare for Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, where they will face either Gujarat, Sunrisers Hyderabad or Rajasthan Royals.
For Gujarat, attention immediately shifts to Friday’s second qualifier as they attempt to recover from one of their worst performances of the season.
