Royal Challengers Bengaluru booked their place in the IPL 2026 final with a commanding 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala on Tuesday. The defending champions delivered when it mattered, first posting the highest total ever in IPL playoff cricket—254 for 5 in their 20 overs—and then bowling Gujarat out for 162. With their spot in the final secured, RCB’s spotlight has only grown, both because of what they have done on the field and what has happened off it leading into the tournament.
Before the start of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru also made headlines off the pitch by becoming the most expensive franchise in IPL history. A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) purchased the side for a reported USD 1.78 billion, roughly Rs 16,706 crore, taking the franchise from United Spirits Limited. That fresh ownership chapter has played alongside a renewed sense of ambition for the team, and the match in Dharamsala added another memorable chapter to their campaign.
Ananya Birla, a well-known figure within the Aditya Birla Group, was present at the Dharamsala Stadium when RCB overcame Gujarat Titans. After the result, she shared her excitement on Instagram, writing: “What. A. Win. Congratulations @royalchallengers.bengaluru. Today was so inspiring to witness. Here we come, finals,” capturing the energy around the team’s run to the decisive stage.
Back in the middle, the storyline revolved around captain Rajat Patidar and the backing he has received from the team’s coaching group. RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat credited Patidar’s work ethic, particularly the support of batting coach Dinesh Karthik and head coach Andy Flower, after the skipper struck an outstanding unbeaten 93 to steer the defending champions to a second straight IPL final.
Patidar’s explosive innings set the tone in Qualifier 1, where RCB smashed a record-breaking 254 for 5 against Gujarat Titans. Then, in the chase, the bowlers ensured the advantage turned into a comfortable finish, wrapping up the win by 92 runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Bobat said Patidar has put in extensive effort to refine his game with both Dinesh Karthik and Andy Flower. “He’s worked incredibly hard on his game with both DK (Dinesh Karthik) and Andy Flower,” Bobat said. He also explained that Patidar’s timing has been a consistent feature: “One thing about Rajat is that he middles the ball a lot. Whether it’s pace or spin, front foot or back foot, the ball often hits the middle of his bat. That’s usually a very good sign. He has really strong basics and a fearless intent. Over the last couple of years, we’ve tried hard to make that the identity of our team,” he added.
Babat also highlighted how Patidar has progressed as a batter across the past two seasons, underlining that the captain’s current form is not accidental. “He’s certainly batting brilliantly right now and has done so throughout the competition. That was a really special knock today, and I’m sure he’ll be very pleased to have stood up in such a big qualifier,” Bobat said. He further noted how leadership performance can lift the entire side: “Any team whose captain is playing well gets greater confidence from that,” he added.
In Bobat’s view, Patidar’s approach—aggressive, fearless, and willing to take the initiative—has become a defining element of RCB’s batting identity this season. “We’re becoming accustomed to seeing these sorts of knocks from him now. He played some outrageous shots, but it was also the aggressive intent that stood out. That’s leading by example,” Bobat said.
He was particularly impressed by the way Patidar managed the innings when the pressure rose. After RCB suffered early setbacks in the middle phase, the captain stepped back in briefly to rebuild, before switching gears again and launching another punishing assault in the death overs—an ability that helped him turn a challenging moment into a platform for a match-winning total.
