Rajat Patidar produced a near-flawless knock at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, smashing 93 runs off just 33 balls with a strike rate of 281.82, striking exactly zero dot balls and clearing the ropes nine times. His Royal Challengers Bengaluru performance lit the scoreboard and, more importantly, propelled the side into the IPL 2026 final. After finishing the job with a comfortable win, the RCB captain pointed to a fearless approach at the crease—an attitude that allowed him to go after bowlers without getting trapped in the fear of losing his wicket—while also highlighting the intent his team carried through the chase and the innings. Bengaluru ultimately overpowered Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to seal their place in a second consecutive title push.
Patidar’s innings became the centrepiece as RCB piled up a staggering total of 254 for five, a mark that also represented the highest score ever in an IPL knockout fixture. He remained unbeaten on 93, striking with ruthless aggression throughout, finishing with nine sixes and five fours. The impact of his hitting was visible from the start: Bengaluru’s innings never truly allowed the Titans to settle, and by the time the powerplay pressure had done its work, RCB were already moving into an innings-defining rhythm.
In response, Gujarat Titans were outplayed from the outset and could not match the tempo set by their opponents. They were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs, meaning the defending champions had no answer for the combination of Patidar’s batting and the overall control Bengaluru brought to the contest. With the Titans falling short, Bengaluru booked their spot in the final, guaranteeing their second successive appearance at the last stage of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Patidar described the evening as one where execution and dominance from the bat made the difference. “It was a super game for us. The way the batters dominated, striking with intent, was good for us,” he said. He added that the approach wasn’t built around a single rigid plan, but the side had prepared themselves to handle what came their way. “It wasn’t a clear plan, but we were ready for it. We have to show some body language that we are ready for you. Every batter showed it and we went in with an attacking mindset,” he explained.
Patidar also outlined his process at the crease. “I take a few balls—8 to 10—to see how the wicket is doing, and then I have a clear mind to go about it. I’m not worried about my wicket. I try and put the bowler under pressure,” he said. He acknowledged that the surface offered more than one challenge and wasn’t simply a matter of timing the ball. “The wicket was not that easy to get under the ball and hit. There was variable bounce,” he noted, before pointing to a key strategic focus. “The way GT played till now, we were clear we had to get their three main batters out in the powerplay, and it worked,” he added.
IPL final history and knockout record context
As Bengaluru set up the next chapter of their season, the broader final-history numbers underline how rarefied the company they keep. Defending champions have reached the finals in the following campaigns: CSK in 2010-11, CSK in 2011-12, CSK in 2018-19, MI in 2019-20, GT in 2022-23, and RCB in 2025-26.
When it comes to the most appearances in IPL finals, CSK lead with 10 finals (including five wins), MI have 6 finals (with five wins), and RCB have 5 finals (one win). KKR sit on 4 finals (three wins) while SRH have reached the final three times (with one title).
Bengaluru’s latest turnaround also features in the record book for knockout and playoff wins by runs. The biggest such victories list includes 105 by RR over DC at Wankhede in 2008, followed by Bengaluru’s 92-run triumph over Gujarat Titans at Dharamsala in 2026. CSK also appear with an 86-run win over DC in Chennai in 2012, MI have an 81-run win over LSG at Chennai in 2023, and RCB recorded a 71-run win over RR in Pune in 2015.
With the final now confirmed, the spotlight shifts to what comes next for RCB and how Gujarat will regroup after a campaign that ended just short at the knockout stage. Fans will also be watching for the upcoming RCB vs GT match and the latest developments across IPL news, including the ongoing race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
