Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik lauded the squad’s strong body language and said his team “played like champions” after delivering a dominant all-round performance to beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs and book a spot in their second straight IPL final on Tuesday.
Key takeaways
- RCB overpowered Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 to reach their next IPL final, and it was their second consecutive appearance at the summit game.
- Rajat Patidar led the batting effort with an unbeaten 93 off 39 balls as RCB posted 254/5.
- RCB then restricted Gujarat to 162, securing a 92-run victory despite Rahul Tewatia’s determined 68.
- Dinesh Karthik praised the group’s fearless approach, saying they kept the initiative from the first overs.
- In the dressing room, Devdutt Padikkal’s praise briefly turned into a light moment involving Krunal Pandya’s name.
Karthik’s message after Qualifier 1
Speaking from the dressing room after RCB’s emphatic Qualifier 1 win at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Karthik highlighted the mindset that powered the result. He commended the players for showing a fearless, attacking approach throughout the contest and for maintaining the tempo rather than allowing Gujarat Titans to settle.
Karthik’s remarks were delivered alongside Devdutt Padikkal in the same pre-final atmosphere. However, Padikkal nearly skipped a key detail while praising the top performers, before Krunal Pandya stepped in with a playful interruption. The moment provided a reminder of how the team’s intensity and confidence were matched by a relaxed camaraderie off the field.
Record-setting total and clinical execution
RCB set the tone with a record-breaking 254/5, the highest total ever in IPL playoffs. After building that platform, they bowled with control and urgency to dismiss Gujarat Titans for 162, wrapping up the match in a comfortable manner.
“This was a clinical effort, a professional effort,” Karthik told the players. He added that a one-versus-two playoff is always a major occasion, yet RCB had carried their champion-like intensity into the contest. Karthik also referenced the upcoming IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad as the next target.
In explaining how the innings was shaped, Karthik pointed to the aggressive intent from the start. He said RCB never allowed the Titans to get comfortable, describing the collective approach as a constant push forward from the beginning.
Tempo from the start: Venky, Virat and Dev
Karthik singled out the early rhythm of the batting unit, stating that the intent was evident right from the first overs. He noted that it began with the impact of Venky, Virat, and Dev, and he stressed that as a group they sustained the pressure and maintained the tempo throughout the innings.
He also referenced the combined effect of Rajat’s brilliance and Bhuvi’s consistency, stressing that the team recognised every small contribution and stayed locked in with the bigger prize in sight. Karthik further said that when stakes rise, some sides fall onto the back foot, but RCB made certain they kept moving forward instead.
Patidar’s 93* and Virat’s body-language cue
RCB captain Rajat Patidar set the foundation for the chase-proof total with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off just 39 balls. During the dressing-room address, Karthik praised Patidar’s role in a pressure game, saying the innings was incredible and that he completely took the bowlers apart while leading from the front.
The former India wicketkeeper also credited Virat Kohli for establishing the tone before the match. Karthik said Kohli stressed the importance of strong body language and intensity, and that the team carried that message into the game. He believed RCB’s approach was as strong as it had been across the previous weeks, and he suggested they were close to sealing the contest during the powerplay itself.
RCB’s chase control and Tewatia’s fight
Defending the 255-run target, RCB reduced Gujarat Titans to 51/5 within six overs and never let them recover, even though Rahul Tewatia battled for 68. The Titans’ inability to rebuild meant the chase never gained momentum after the early setbacks.
A light dressing-room exchange before the final
In a video shared by RCB, Devdutt Padikkal urged his teammates to keep their focus intact for the final. As he tried to close the speech, Krunal Pandya interrupted with a joke: “Mera naam bhool gaya bhai” (you forgot my name). Karthik then responded by saying, “Krunal, good job,” before adding further words to complete the message to the dressing room.
Karthik told the players that in four days there would be another big game, and he expected everyone to be ready. He urged them to enjoy the next couple of days, and he said that once the team travelled and reached Ahmedabad, the focus would shift fully to the final. He then reinforced that the performance had been clinical and professional, and he repeated that a one-versus-two playoff is always a huge challenge—yet RCB had managed it by playing like champions. Karthik also pointed ahead to 31st May, encouraging the squad to look forward to the match and play the same style of cricket.
He concluded with another nod to Krunal, saying, “Well done, Krunal. Good effort on the bat,” a remark that left the entire room in laughter, including Virat Kohli.
