IPL 2026: RCB thump Titans by 92 Runs to Qualify for Consecutive IPL Finals

Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a batting masterclass to post the highest total in IPL playoff history, thrashing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium on Tuesday (May 26) to qualify for their second IPL final in a row.

Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, GT were left shell-shocked as RCB unleashed an unrelenting assault on a true batting surface, finishing at 254 for 5 in 20 overs. The defending champions will now face the winner of Qualifier 2 in the final, while GT face an anxious wait.

Rajat Patidar led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls, smashing five fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 281.82. Coming in at number four, the RCB captain turned the game into a one-sided contest, forging crucial partnerships and ensuring the total crossed the 250-mark in the final overs.

Virat Kohli provided the early momentum with a fluent 43 off 25 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal (30 off 19) and Krunal Pandya (43 off 28) kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly. Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a flying start with 19 off 7, and Jitesh Sharma remained unbeaten on 15 off 5. The side plundered 76 runs in the powerplay itself.GT's bowlers had no answers on the flat track. Jason Holder claimed two wickets for 39, Kagiso Rabada took 2 for 54, and Prasidh Krishna finished with 1 for 53. Rashid Khan went wicketless for 29 runs in three overs, while Mohammed Siraj and Kulwant Khejroliya leaked heavily.

Chasing an improbable 255, GT's batting faltered under scoreboard pressure. Despite a decent start, they suffered a middle-order collapse and could not recover, eventually folding well short of the target for just 162 runs. Jacob Duffy picked up 3 wickets for RCB, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Dar picked 2 each. Rahul Tewatia was the sole warrior for the Titans, scoring a valiant 68/

The victory was built on aggressive intent and depth. Patidar's explosive knock not only powered RCB past previous playoff records but also underlined his growing stature as captain. Kohli's contribution further bolstered his remarkable consistency this season.

With this commanding win, RCB have now qualified for consecutive finals and will wait for their opponent ahead of the championship clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 31).