DHARAMSALA: The HPCA Stadium here came alive on Tuesday as fans packed in for the first IPL qualifier, with many expecting a defining Virat Kohli moment. Kohli looked set for exactly that before Jason Holder ended his stay on 43. Instead, the night belonged to Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, whose explosive, unbeaten innings powered RCB to a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans and a place in their second consecutive IPL final.
Qualifier 1: Patidar’s blitz sends RCB into another final
Patidar’s spectacular knock—an unbeaten 93 off 33 deliveries—powered RCB to 254/5, the highest total ever in an IPL playoff. The innings featured five fours and nine sixes, and it completely shifted the tone of the match.
With the bat, RCB built momentum quickly; with the ball, they ensured Gujarat Titans never got a foothold. In response, Gujarat were dismissed for 162 in 19.3 overs, sealing a comprehensive win for Bengaluru.
RCB’s total and Gujarat’s chase derailed early
After RCB posted 254/5, Gujarat began their pursuit in the worst possible way. Sai Sudharsan was struck wicket off Jacob Duffy for 14, and skipper Shubman Gill was dismissed soon after, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for just two.
Jos Buttler briefly kept the chase alive with a 29 off 11 balls, but Josh Hazlewood removed him and the innings began to unravel. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and Gujarat lost significant ground during the Powerplay, reaching only 51/5 after six overs.
- RCB reduced Gujarat to 51/5 after six overs
- The Titans were eventually bowled out in the final over
- Rahul Tewatia managed the lone meaningful resistance, scoring 68 off 43 balls
How RCB’s bowling broke the chase
RCB’s bowling attack made the pressure constant from start to finish. Duffy struck three times, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar and Krunal Pandya took two wickets apiece as Gujarat’s batting collapsed under sustained wickets and momentum swings.
RCB batting: Kohli’s dismissal, then Patidar takes over
When RCB came out to bat, Patidar walked in after Kohli’s dismissal in the ninth over left the stadium briefly stunned. Once Patidar settled, the crowd quickly found its voice again as he struck the ball with confidence and pace, turning the chase into a one-sided contest.
Capitalising on a life offered by Kagiso Rabada when he was on 21, Patidar tore into the Titans bowlers. Alongside Krunal Pandya, he added 95 runs for the fourth wicket, taking RCB into a dominant position.
Key moments: the 15th over surge
Fielding lapses from the Titans and a loss of control in the closing overs compounded the damage. The momentum swung decisively in the 15th over when Patidar and Krunal launched an assault on Kulwant Khejroliya.
- Khejroliya bowled two no-balls and a wide in the 15th over
- Patidar and Krunal scored 28 runs from that over
- Krunal was dismissed for 43 off 28 balls, but Patidar kept accelerating
Patidar reached his fifty in just 21 balls and continued to pile on runs. With RCB striking 86 runs in the final five overs, the innings finished with total authority. Deep in his crease, Patidar sent yorker-length deliveries over the ropes and pulled short balls into the stands with clinical precision.
Early fireworks and Kohli’s Powerplay form
Before Patidar’s takeover, Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a fast start by striking three fours in Mohammed Siraj’s first over. At the other end, Rabada caused early discomfort for Kohli, beating him off the first three balls he faced with steep bounce.
Iyer stayed aggressive, but after he scooped Rabada for six, he was dismissed on the next ball for 19. Kohli then found his rhythm, smashing Rabada for two fours and a six in the final over of the Powerplay.
With this win, RCB booked their spot in the second successive IPL final, powered by an innings that set a new playoff benchmark for totals in the tournament’s history.
