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\u2014254 for 5 in their 20 overs\u2014and then bowling Gujarat out for 162. With their spot in the final secured, RCB\u2019s spotlight has only grown, both because of what they have done on the field and what has happened off it leading into the tournament.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cWhat. A. Win. Congratulations @royalchallengers.bengaluru. Today was so inspiring to witness. Here we come, finals,\u201d capturing the energy around the team\u2019s run to the decisive stage.<\/p>\n
Back in the middle, the storyline revolved around captain Rajat Patidar and the backing he has received from the team\u2019s coaching group. RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat credited Patidar\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Patidar\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cHe\u2019s worked incredibly hard on his game with both DK (Dinesh Karthik) and Andy Flower,\u201d Bobat said. He also explained that Patidar\u2019s timing has been a consistent feature: \u201cOne thing about Rajat is that he middles the ball a lot. Whether it\u2019s pace or spin, front foot or back foot, the ball often hits the middle of his bat. That\u2019s usually a very good sign. He has really strong basics and a fearless intent. Over the last couple of years, we\u2019ve tried hard to make that the identity of our team,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Babat also highlighted how Patidar has progressed as a batter across the past two seasons, underlining that the captain\u2019s current form is not accidental. \u201cHe\u2019s certainly batting brilliantly right now and has done so throughout the competition. That was a really special knock today, and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be very pleased to have stood up in such a big qualifier,\u201d Bobat said. He further noted how leadership performance can lift the entire side: \u201cAny team whose captain is playing well gets greater confidence from that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
In Bobat\u2019s view, Patidar\u2019s approach\u2014aggressive, fearless, and willing to take the initiative\u2014has become a defining element of RCB\u2019s batting identity this season. \u201cWe\u2019re 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\u2019s leading by example,\u201d Bobat said.<\/p>\n
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\u2014an ability that helped him turn a challenging moment into a platform for a match-winning total.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs GT After Playoff Win in Dharamsala","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"RCB reach the IPL 2026 final in style, smashing a record playoff 254\/5 and defending it to beat GT by 92 runs in Dharamsala.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n