Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting star Virat Kohli shared a light-hearted moment with Gujarat Titans players during their IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 meeting on Tuesday. A clip that has since gone viral captures Kohli pulling off a series of cheeky gestures while the GT squad sits together for a team photograph before the game. While the Gujarat camp posed for the picture, Kohli was already getting himself ready in full kit, appearing to prepare to open the batting for RCB. The exchange was clearly fun on the field, with Kohli seen laughing with his teammates as the pre-match routine unfolded.
Patidar’s 93 not out powers RCB to the final
When the match began, Rajat Patidar set the tone for RCB with a knock of 93 not out, helping his team book a place in the IPL 2026 final through a dominant win over Gujarat Titans. Patidar anchored the innings and punished the bowling whenever the opportunity came, carrying Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a big total in the chase-free fixture.
Batting first, RCB made use of a questionable decision from the Gujarat Titans setup to post 254 for 5 in their 20 overs. Patidar struck nine sixes alongside five fours, and he also ripped 28 runs off one over from Kulwant Khejroliya, who was brought in as a replacement for Arshad Khan—recently picked for India A. The innings also drew steady returns from RCB’s experienced middle order, with Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya scoring 43 runs each. Jason Holder, however, provided a breakthrough late, finishing with figures of 2 for 39.
GT collapse leaves them short
Gujarat Titans’ chase never gained momentum. They lost momentum early and slipped to the extent that half their lineup was back in the pavilion during the powerplay, with dismissals including Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. From there, the chase unraveled completely, and GT were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.
Rahul Tewatia was the standout for Gujarat with a fighting 68 off 43 balls, but the rest of the batting order struggled to support his effort as the target proved out of reach.
Gill reflects on the defeat
After the loss, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill pointed to the team’s dip after the early overs. He said, “I think we were going pretty well up until the 12th, 13th over, and I don’t think our fielding was at par, dropping a couple of catches, and then our ground fielding was not up to the mark. (There are plenty of learnings from this game for you as well?) Yeah, definitely, you know, this is, like you said, one of those games that we’d like to forget and start over in Mohali.”
