IPL 2026: Kohli, Padikkal Power RCB to Win in Final Home Game; Sudharsan Ton in Vain

New Delhi, April 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed off from their home leg of the IPL 2026 season in style, registering a commanding five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday (April 24) to climb to second spot on the points table.

In a high-scoring contest that once again showcased Bengaluru's batting-friendly conditions, RCB chased down a daunting 206-run target with seven balls to spare, underlining both their batting depth and growing momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.

Sudharsan Century Powers GT to 205

Asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans were powered by a sensational century from Sai Sudharsan, who continued his remarkable form this season.

Opening alongside Shubman Gill, Sudharsan dominated proceedings after a cautious start. The duo stitched together a 128-run opening partnership, laying a strong platform. Captain Gill played the role of the anchor, contributing a steady 32 before being outfoxed by the wrist-spin of Suyash Sharma. Despite the breakthrough, Sudharsan refused to let the momentum slip. He targeted the shorter boundaries with surgical precision, manipulating the field and punishing anything marginally off-length.

The young southpaw eventually brought up a sensational century, scoring 100 off just 58 deliveries. He also became the second batter after Chris Gayle to slam a ton in three consecutive IPL seasons. The Tamil Nadu batter's innings was a testament to his growing stature in the league, featuring a blend of sheer power and tactical awareness against both pace and spin.

However, the home team's bowlers demonstrated commendable resilience in the immediate aftermath of Sudharsan's dismissal. The middle overs saw a noticeable dip in the scoring rate as the hosts utilized their slower variations and wide yorkers to stifle the new batters.

The boundaries temporarily dried up, and it seemed Gujarat Titans might fall short of the psychological 200-run mark. Recognising the urgency, debutant Jason Holder was promoted to inject late momentum. The towering all-rounder delivered exactly what was required, unleashing a brutal cameo of 23 runs from a mere 9 deliveries.

Holder's late blitz, which included towering sixes down the ground, propelled the Gujarat Titans to a formidable 205 for 3 at the end of their allotted twenty overs.

Kohli, Padikkal Lead Clinical Chase

Chasing 206, RCB needed a strong start - and Virat Kohli delivered once again.
Kohli, who has enjoyed a stellar record against Gujarat Titans, anchored the chase with a superb 81 off 44 balls, blending control with aggression. His ability to rotate strike and find boundaries kept the required rate under control throughout the innings.

While Kohli provided the backbone, it was Devdutt Padikkal who shifted the momentum decisively. The left-hander produced a stunning counterattack, smashing a 50 off just 20 deliveries, dismantling GT's bowling plans and putting the hosts firmly in control.

Despite a brief wobble following the dismissals of set batters, RCB's depth came to the fore. Krunal Pandya and Tim David calmly steered the chase home, with Krunal finishing the match in the 19th over.

GT's bowling struggled under relentless pressure, including Rashid Khan, who, despite picking up 2/49, continued to find Bengaluru a difficult venue. The Afghan spinner had been wicketless in his previous outings against RCB and, although he broke that streak, the runs conceded highlighted the intensity of RCB's batting approach.

RCB Build Momentum Ahead of Playoffs

The victory not only marked a perfect end to RCB's home fixtures but also propelled them to second place in the standings, significantly boosting their playoff prospects.
Chasing 200-plus targets with authority has become a hallmark of this RCB side, and performances like this reinforce their credentials as serious contenders this season.

For Gujarat Titans, despite Sudharsan's brilliance, the loss exposes concerns around their bowling under pressure - an area they will need to address quickly.