Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a statement performance in IPL Qualifier 1, cruising to 254 for five against Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala on Tuesday. The charge was driven by RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, whose blistering 33-ball 93 (nine sixes and five fours) flipped the contest after he survived a couple of near-misses in the field. With the bat accelerating sharply at the death—86 runs coming in the final five overs, and 114 added in the last six—Bengaluru seized full control and set a towering target.
RCB’s record-setting innings
- The chase for momentum started early: Venkatesh Iyer took on Mohammed Siraj with bold attacking strokes, collecting three boundaries in quick succession before getting dismissed for 19 soon after.
- Kagiso Rabada then struck, removing Iyer soon after being hit for a six, but Bengaluru’s innings continued to gather pace.
- Rabada also tested Virat Kohli with sharp bounce and pace, but the RCB batter held his ground and struck a quick 43.
- With Devdutt Padikkal contributing 30, Kohli helped the side keep the pressure on, taking RCB to 76 for one during the powerplay.
- Gujarat tightened the middle overs through disciplined bowling: Rashid Khan kept it under control, while Jason Holder made the breakthrough by removing Kohli and Padikkal in a short burst, slowing the Bengaluru surge.
- Kulwant Khejroliya initially stayed economical as well, and for a period it looked like the Titans had re-established control.
- The turning point arrived in the 14th over when Patidar—batting at 18 and 20—was dropped twice off Prasidh Krishna, giving Bengaluru a crucial second chance.
- From there, Gujarat’s fielding unraveled: Khejroliya conceded 28 runs in an error-strewn over that included misfields, two no-balls, and a wide.
- Patidar capitalised relentlessly, hitting Khejroliya and Rashid Khan with authority while Krunal Pandya anchored the other end, building a rapid 95-run partnership with the skipper.
- Krunal struck 43 before Rabada broke the stand, but by that stage the momentum had firmly shifted to RCB.
- Patidar finished the innings with another burst of power, bringing up his fifty with a six off Rabada and continuing the acceleration until the end, leaving Bengaluru with one of the most imposing totals in IPL knockout history.
This was the highest score ever in IPL knockout matches. RCB’s 254 for five in Qualifier 1 also stands out among the biggest playoff totals, with 233/3 from Gujarat Titans versus Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad (2023), 228/5 from Mumbai Indians versus Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh (2025), 226/6 from Punjab Kings versus Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede (2014), and 222/5 from Chennai Super Kings versus Delhi Capitals in Chennai (2012) among the notable marks.
RCB themselves have registered several massive postseason totals, including 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in Bengaluru (2013), 262/7 versus Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru (2024), 254/5 versus Punjab Kings in Dharamsala (2026), 250/3 against Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru (2026), and 248/3 versus Gujarat Lions in Bengaluru (2016).
