In Qualifier 1 of the 2026 Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may stare across the ring at Gujarat Titans (GT) and wonder if they contributed to the creation of this monster. GT was still a cautious team in the middle of the standings when they travelled to Bengaluru on April 24. They were pleased with their opening century, which came off 57 balls. However, since RCB easily defeated them in that day's chase of 206, they have become a different team.
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| Rajat Patidar ultimately reached 93 not out off 33 after going from 22 off 14 to 61 off 22 |
Tactics board for Qualifier 1
This season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT), two elite teams that are only separated by net run rate, are tied 1-1 head-to-head and 4-4 overall. It's not a really tactical contest. Having employed the fewest players in this event, both teams are well-established, all-around teams that dislike making adjustments for certain opponents.
Phil Salt is in a race against time
This IPL, RCB has utilised the fewest players, indicating a cohesive team. If Phil Salt hadn't been hurt, there would have undoubtedly been fewer. Now that he's back in India, he's rushing to be ready for the playoffs. However, since Suyash Sharma hasn't had a fantastic IPL, and night games in Dharamsala might nullify spinners, it would be tempting to replace him with Jacob Duffy if he doesn't make it. Actually, this season's only finished game without the usage of spin took place at Dharamsala.
In the little opportunities he has had, Venkatesh Iyer has proven himself, but if Salt is healthy, he should be an obvious choice to start.
In focus
The only thing separating Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kagiso Rabada as the IPL's top wicket-takers is the RCB quick's superior economy rate. Both have been essential to the success of their teams. Rabada has been utilised mostly as a new-ball threat and has routinely bowled three overs during the powerplay, while Bhuvneshwar has been more complete, bowling 16 overs at the end as opposed to only six. Both have good matchups to take advantage of: Bhuvneshwar has dominated Shubman Gill, averaging just 16 while conceding at a strike rate of just 106.7, while Rabada has dismissed Virat Kohli five times in 16 innings.
Rabada can expose the RCB middle order to Rashid Khan, who has good match-ups there, if he can give GT an early wicket. Jos Buttler and Washington Sundar will have less flexibility to play if Bhuvneshwar makes early progress.
Inside the metamorphosis of RCB
RCB concentrated on improving their ability to adjust to various circumstances and creating a team that was adaptable enough to win in a variety of ways rather than dwelling on the reasons behind their wins.
Early indicators
Early indications from the stunning and brilliant Dharamsala indicate that Phil Salt may not be fit, which could allow Jacob Duffy to replace Suyash Sharma while Venkatesh Iyer remains the opening batsman. M Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, has noted his run-up. If not, he might be the 12th member of GT's starting lineup.
Report on a pitch
A new pitch for this match. This has less grass than the two previous games, according to Piyush Chawla. Given that one of those two night games had 0 overs of spin out of 39, there is some room for spinners in this match.
Salt is still out when RCB requests to bat first
At Qualifier 1, Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans (GT) won the toss and ordered the Royal Challengers of Bengaluru (RCB) to bat first at Dharamsala, where the pursuing team has won both of this year's night games. Additionally, the club batting second has won both of these teams' games this year.
With Virat Kohli suffering a hand injury in the middle of the competition, RCB was still without Phil Salt, their preferred opener. Salt was not yet added to the starting lineup or the bench despite returning from England. In his absence, Venkatesh Iyer was scheduled to open.
Romario Shepherd was replaced by Jacob Duffy in RCB's bat-first lineup, which was an intriguing shift. This gave them the choice to add legspinner Suyash Sharma to the starting lineup in case Shepherd wasn't required to bat, as well as to use Shepherd as the Impact Player if necessary.
By starting Kulwant Khejroliya in his first IPL game, GT made a significant shift. The fitness of Arshad Khan, who was left out, remained unclear. However, it is still evident that they desired a left-arm fast in the starting lineup. Dharamsala's reputation for being unfriendly to spinners is confirmed by Prasidh Krishna's inclusion in the bowl-first XI. It was anticipated that one of Krishna and Khejroliya would give way to Rahul Tewatia in the pursuit.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Venkatesh Iyer, 3 Devdutt Padikkal, 4 Rajat Patidar (capt.), 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Jacob Duffy, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Rasikh Salam
RCB bench Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chohan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox
Gujarat Titans 1 Shubman Gill (capt.), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Washington Sundar, 5 Jason Holder, 6 Nishant Sindhu, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Kulwant Khejroliya, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 M Prasidh Krishna
GT bench Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore
I'm heading to a flyer
4 4 0 4 1 1
In an attempt to disturb Mohammed Siraj's lengths, Venkatesh Iyer simply needed two balls to charge at him. He had already punched one through the cover for four before that. From deep within the crease, there was also a cover drive. RCB wins that first over.
Venkatesh Iyer is acquired by Rabada during a flyer
0 0 0 1 6 W
Right now, Kagiso Rabada is wearing the purple cap. He has now taken 25 wickets overall, including 18 during the powerplay. What a charming offer from him. Hard length, fast speed, and no motivation. To lay bat on ball, Virat Kohli needs four balls. Shubman Gill makes a beautiful catch while running back 15 metres from mid-off after Venkatesh Iyer moves in the crease and ramps him for a six. However, Rabada's pace and bounce become massive on Venkatesh. RCB 21 for 1 in two overs, gone for 19 off 7.
Most IPL powerplay wickets in a single season
Kagiso Rabada has taken 18 powerplay wickets this season, surpassing Mohammed Shami's record of 17 in 2023.
RCB won't stop
4 1 4 4 4 1
Virat Kohli surged and off-drove Mohammed Siraj over mid-off on the first ball following the first wicket. No retracting your intent. Four fours have been hit in Kagiso Rabada's second over. After Kohli's gaze, Devdutt Padikkal produced three beautiful shots: a late cut, a proper square cut, and a flick off the hip. In four overs, it is 50 for 1.
Plan A has been hit by GT
The Gujarat Titans were compelled to abandon their original strategy of using the powerplay to bowl Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada for the first time in eight games. It's safe to assume that their plan has been derailed. In the fifth inning, Jason Holder bowls for 12, including four overthrows off the final ball. In five overs, RCB 62 for 1.
Rabada's most expensive power play of the year
39 Kagiso Rabada scores the most runs in the powerplay this IPL, as RCB scores 76 for 1.
A new friendship?
This IPL, there have been seven stands of fifty or more between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. In 2023, Kohli and Faf du Plessis held the record for a single season.
Holder is played by Kohli on
Virat Kohli tries to drag a pull off Jason Holder after eleven balls without a boundary, playing it on for a beautiful 43 off 25. The pitch was a bit two-paced, as Matthew Hayden mentioned in a pitch-side interview. The scoreboard at 93 for 2 in 8.2 overs indicates something different from the usual two-paced pitch dismissal. Rajat Patidar enters.
It is twice as wonderful with the holder
Devdutt Padikkal, the other set batter, was removed by Jason Holder in the same over. And what a beautiful delivery to use for it. The hitter is pushed back by Holder's high delivery of a wobble-seam ball that is on a decent length. He is unable to play an aggressive shot after that. The ball nibbles enough to take the outer edge while he defends. Padikkal has made 30 off 19. To either keep left-right moving or postpone Jitesh Sharma and Tim David's entering point, RCB has promoted Krunal Pandya to 94 for 3.
2-0-8-0 Rashid
Rashid Khan has played a significant role in GT's recovery. In his two overs, he has not given up a boundary. To beat his sweeps, he bowls extremely full in his second over, giving Krunal Pandya three dots. In the final 22 balls, it is 2 for 18. In ten overs, RCB scored 99 for 3.
This IPL, there have been seven stands of fifty or more between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. In 2023, Kohli and Faf du Plessis held the record for a single season.
Holder is played by Kohli on
Virat Kohli tries to drag a pull off Jason Holder after eleven balls without a boundary, playing it on for a beautiful 43 off 25. The pitch was a bit two-paced, as Matthew Hayden mentioned in a pitch-side interview. The scoreboard at 93 for 2 in 8.2 overs indicates something different from the usual two-paced pitch dismissal. Rajat Patidar enters.
It is twice as wonderful with the holder
Devdutt Padikkal, the other set batter, was removed by Jason Holder in the same over. And what a beautiful delivery to use for it. The hitter is pushed back by Holder's high delivery of a wobble-seam ball that is on a decent length. He is unable to play an aggressive shot after that. The ball nibbles enough to take the outer edge while he defends. Padikkal has made 30 off 19. To either keep left-right moving or postpone Jitesh Sharma and Tim David's entering point, RCB has promoted Krunal Pandya to 94 for 3.
2-0-8-0 Rashid
Rashid Khan has played a significant role in GT's recovery. In his two overs, he has not given up a boundary. To beat his sweeps, he bowls extremely full in his second over, giving Krunal Pandya three dots. In the final 22 balls, it is 2 for 18. In ten overs, RCB scored 99 for 3.
4-0-39-2 Holder
Jason Holder has had a great session despite a loose ball on the final ball. Holder, who was introduced at 50 for 1 in four overs, has bowled his four overs consecutively, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli. He has actually been the game-changer for GT, as they had not been able to find an all-rounder to replace Hardik Pandya up until that time. In 11 overs, RCB 112 for 3.
Krishna is defeated by Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya ruins Prasidh Krishna's excellent start, which saw him get low bounce from hard lengths from the end that Kagiso Rabada bowled from. He ramps him from down on the ground for a six after first taking on the hard length and just clearing mid-off. In 12 overs, it is 125 for 3.
Khejroliya had a close start
Kulwant Khejroliya bowls into the pitch and maintains his pace in his first over of the IPL. Despite this, he can get a low bounce and somewhat outpace Krunal Pandya. GT is 128 for 3 in 13 overs after just three singles in his opening over.
Patidar is fortunate
First, a huge leading edge lands directly between the deep third and the converging goalie. Kagiso Rabada then dumps him after a pull that goes directly to the deep square leg. He pulled a slower bouncer for four in between. Then, to exacerbate Prasidh Krishna's injuries, Krunal Pandya directs a low full toss for four. RCB 140 for 3 in 14 overs; Patidar 21 off 13.
Khejroliya removed
1 1 5nb 1w 4 2nb 4 6 4
A misfield, a full toss, two no-balls, and one wide. 28 off the over was the outcome. With the old ball, Khejroliya lacks the height and speed to be a factor. The floodgates were opened by that beamer. In 15 overs, it is currently 168 for 3. In the last five, Rashid Khan has two remaining.
Rashid was also defeated
1 6 1 6 1 6
Rajat Patidar hit two amazing sixes. Despite a noticeable turn, the first was a straight six over long-on off the back foot. The extra-cover drive comes next. RCB 189 for 3 in 16 overs, with Krunal Pandya hitting a slog-swept six in between.
RCB is dominant despite Krunal's tumble
The only other RCB player to reach 200 runs and claim 10 wickets in a single season is Krunal Pandya. Before losing to a pull off Kagiso Rabada, he completed his task with 43 off 28. Tim David enters.
55* off 21 balls for Patidar
Kagiso Rabada's missed catch is turning out to be expensive. Patidar reaches his fifty off just 21 balls with a magnificent pulled six off Rabada in the 17th over. He then celebrates by hitting a six off a full-pace, hard-length ball with a back-foot cover drive. Even Virat Kohli is in awe of it. RCB is 204 for 4 in 17 overs, whereas Patidar is 62 off 23.
The most sixes given up in a single season
The 35th six off Kagiso Rabada this season, the most anyone has given up in a single edition, was that amazing back-foot cover drive.
Siraj 3-0-46-0
6 4 1 0 4 6
Mohammed Siraj bowled the 19th over. Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar have no mercy.
RCB reaches 254 thanks to Patidar's blinder
In his undefeated 93 off 33, he hit nine sixes. Overcover off Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, two for an all-time highlights reel. Fantastic striking without the need for elaborate shots or muscle. This total surpasses GT's 233 against MI in 2023 to become the highest in an IPL playoff.
In 8.2 overs, Patidar finished at 93 for 2. The opposite end, with extras, scored 68 from 37 while he scored 93 off 33.
Jason Holder has had a great session despite a loose ball on the final ball. Holder, who was introduced at 50 for 1 in four overs, has bowled his four overs consecutively, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli. He has actually been the game-changer for GT, as they had not been able to find an all-rounder to replace Hardik Pandya up until that time. In 11 overs, RCB 112 for 3.
Krishna is defeated by Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya ruins Prasidh Krishna's excellent start, which saw him get low bounce from hard lengths from the end that Kagiso Rabada bowled from. He ramps him from down on the ground for a six after first taking on the hard length and just clearing mid-off. In 12 overs, it is 125 for 3.
Khejroliya had a close start
Kulwant Khejroliya bowls into the pitch and maintains his pace in his first over of the IPL. Despite this, he can get a low bounce and somewhat outpace Krunal Pandya. GT is 128 for 3 in 13 overs after just three singles in his opening over.
Patidar is fortunate
First, a huge leading edge lands directly between the deep third and the converging goalie. Kagiso Rabada then dumps him after a pull that goes directly to the deep square leg. He pulled a slower bouncer for four in between. Then, to exacerbate Prasidh Krishna's injuries, Krunal Pandya directs a low full toss for four. RCB 140 for 3 in 14 overs; Patidar 21 off 13.
Khejroliya removed
1 1 5nb 1w 4 2nb 4 6 4
A misfield, a full toss, two no-balls, and one wide. 28 off the over was the outcome. With the old ball, Khejroliya lacks the height and speed to be a factor. The floodgates were opened by that beamer. In 15 overs, it is currently 168 for 3. In the last five, Rashid Khan has two remaining.
Rashid was also defeated
1 6 1 6 1 6
Rajat Patidar hit two amazing sixes. Despite a noticeable turn, the first was a straight six over long-on off the back foot. The extra-cover drive comes next. RCB 189 for 3 in 16 overs, with Krunal Pandya hitting a slog-swept six in between.
RCB is dominant despite Krunal's tumble
The only other RCB player to reach 200 runs and claim 10 wickets in a single season is Krunal Pandya. Before losing to a pull off Kagiso Rabada, he completed his task with 43 off 28. Tim David enters.
55* off 21 balls for Patidar
Kagiso Rabada's missed catch is turning out to be expensive. Patidar reaches his fifty off just 21 balls with a magnificent pulled six off Rabada in the 17th over. He then celebrates by hitting a six off a full-pace, hard-length ball with a back-foot cover drive. Even Virat Kohli is in awe of it. RCB is 204 for 4 in 17 overs, whereas Patidar is 62 off 23.
The most sixes given up in a single season
The 35th six off Kagiso Rabada this season, the most anyone has given up in a single edition, was that amazing back-foot cover drive.
Siraj 3-0-46-0
6 4 1 0 4 6
Mohammed Siraj bowled the 19th over. Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar have no mercy.
RCB reaches 254 thanks to Patidar's blinder
In his undefeated 93 off 33, he hit nine sixes. Overcover off Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, two for an all-time highlights reel. Fantastic striking without the need for elaborate shots or muscle. This total surpasses GT's 233 against MI in 2023 to become the highest in an IPL playoff.
In 8.2 overs, Patidar finished at 93 for 2. The opposite end, with extras, scored 68 from 37 while he scored 93 off 33.
What's more? Now that Rimario Shepherd is no longer needed, RCB may add another bowler. For GT, Rahul Tewatia has already replaced Kulwant Khejroliya.
Indian teams are overcoming the toss defeat
This is a charming excerpt from Sampath Bandarupalli.
In T20 cricket, there have only been five knockout or playoff matches with a total of 250 or more. In the past six months, four of those were played by Indian teams in India.
Jharkhand vs. Haryana in the SMAT final in Pune scored 262/3.
India vs. England in the T20 World Cup semifinals scored 253/7.
India vs. New Zealand scored 255/5 in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
And RCB vs. GT scored 254/5 in Dharamsala today.
The highest is Somerset's 265/5 against Derbyshire in the 2022 T20 Blast quarterfinal.
Highest strike rate of 90 or more in an innings
It was Rajat Patidar's fastest IPL innings of 90 runs or more. Indeed, his strike rate of 281.81 in this innings surpasses Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 103 off 37, making it the highest for any innings over 90 in the IPL.
Similar beginnings
Indian teams are overcoming the toss defeat
This is a charming excerpt from Sampath Bandarupalli.
In T20 cricket, there have only been five knockout or playoff matches with a total of 250 or more. In the past six months, four of those were played by Indian teams in India.
Jharkhand vs. Haryana in the SMAT final in Pune scored 262/3.
India vs. England in the T20 World Cup semifinals scored 253/7.
India vs. New Zealand scored 255/5 in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
And RCB vs. GT scored 254/5 in Dharamsala today.
The highest is Somerset's 265/5 against Derbyshire in the 2022 T20 Blast quarterfinal.
Highest strike rate of 90 or more in an innings
It was Rajat Patidar's fastest IPL innings of 90 runs or more. Indeed, his strike rate of 281.81 in this innings surpasses Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 103 off 37, making it the highest for any innings over 90 in the IPL.
Similar beginnings
For the first time in IPL history, both innings of the game began with two fours off the opening two balls. What Venkatesh Iyer did to Mohammed Siraj, B Sai Sudharsan did to Jacob Duffy.
Bhuvneshwar is as good as gold
0 1w 0 1 0 0 0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has responded admirably to both of the GT openers' attempts to shorten his length. Given that GT is only 13 for 0 in two overs, the pressure is growing.
Sudharsan hits the wicket with his bat
B Sai Sudharsan makes a beautiful square cut for four, but the bat escapes his grasp, bounces in the crease, and top-spins onto the leg stump. For 14 off 9, he is out. In 2.3 overs, GT 17 for 1.
The dismissal is almost exactly the same as the one in the tweet.
Bhuvneshwar is still in control of Gill
A good-length wobble-seam ball that nips back in to hit the middle and leg stumps and beat Shubman Gill's slog. Gill has taken six wickets in 79 balls for 80 runs. There was just one winner in that head-to-head match. GT 27 for 2 in 3.1 overs. He just needs one blow to get the purple cap back.
Against Buttler, Hazlewood has the final say
1 1 4 0 1
Bhuvneshwar is as good as gold
0 1w 0 1 0 0 0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has responded admirably to both of the GT openers' attempts to shorten his length. Given that GT is only 13 for 0 in two overs, the pressure is growing.
Sudharsan hits the wicket with his bat
B Sai Sudharsan makes a beautiful square cut for four, but the bat escapes his grasp, bounces in the crease, and top-spins onto the leg stump. For 14 off 9, he is out. In 2.3 overs, GT 17 for 1.
The dismissal is almost exactly the same as the one in the tweet.
Bhuvneshwar is still in control of Gill
A good-length wobble-seam ball that nips back in to hit the middle and leg stumps and beat Shubman Gill's slog. Gill has taken six wickets in 79 balls for 80 runs. There was just one winner in that head-to-head match. GT 27 for 2 in 3.1 overs. He just needs one blow to get the purple cap back.
Against Buttler, Hazlewood has the final say
1 1 4 0 1
Josh Hazlewood has got his own back with a beautiful knuckle-ball legcutter that is a little slower than usual and beats his attempt to back away and cut, but Jos Buttler appears to be in some touch in his innings of 29 off 11. In 4.5 overs, GT 51 for 3.
Did the umpires make the Sudharsan ruling too quickly?
Yes, B Sai Sudharsan's bat struck the wicket, but the ball soared off the bat for four. The hit-wicket must now occur while the ball is in play, according to the law. Would they have been able to slow it down and see if the ball struck the boundary before the bat struck the wicket? The bat most likely struck the wicket before the ball reached the fence, but that might have been verified. However, we have verified that when the bat destroyed the wicket, the ball had only travelled 35 yards. Just as you were.
Goodbye to two in one over
After taking three wickets, Rasikh Salam enters the game and continues to test the middle of the pitch with cross-seam deliveries. After sending back Nishant Sindhu with a beautiful diving catch, he catches Jason Holder mid-on with hard length. The shouting is everywhere. It's a maiden by two wickets.
Wickets continue to tumble
With three wickets in 3.3 overs, Jacob Duffy is bowling out. He bounces Rashid Khan to draw the top edge for the goalie after seeing him charge at him. In 10.3 overs, it is 78 for 7.
Will this be the biggest victory in the playoffs?
105 is the largest run differential in any type of IPL playoff game. With six overs remaining, GT is eight down and still 133 adrift. They might score the largest victory in an IPL playoff if they can eliminate Rahul Tewatia.
Won't be the biggest postseason loss
Rahul Tewatia has at least spared GT the humiliation of being the team with the greatest loss in an IPL playoff match with a resolutely behind-square 67 off 39 balls. They must now score 99 in two overs.
The purple cat is reclaimed by Bhuvneshwar
Rahul Tewatian is caught at extra cover for 68 off 43 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his final over. With this wicket, he is tied with Kagiso Rabada's 26, but Bhuvneshwar's economy is superior.
Everywhere in Dharamsala
The Dharamsala leg is over with a huge victory for the team that lost the toss, but there are still three crucial games left. GT will reflect on their fielding and question whether they could have held RCB to 200. Shubman Gill concurs. We'll end by giving you a sneak peek at our final report. We appreciate you coming. I'll see you tomorrow.
With the fastest innings of 90 or more in the IPL, Rajat Patidar led the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the final. He scored a delightful, undefeated 93 off 33 to lead his team to 254, the highest total in an IPL playoff, against Gujarat Titans (GT), the tournament's top attack. As they awaited Qualifier 2, the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, GT, having finished in the top two, still had a chance to advance to the final at their home stadium in Ahmedabad. The team that wins this match, Qualifier 1, has won the previous eight IPLs.
Despite missing the injured Phil Salt, RCB, who were asked to bat first in the chase-friendly Dharamsala, came out full of talent and intent. However, GT almost managed to sneak back in with a span of 22 balls, 18 runs, and two wickets of set batters in a single Jason Holder over. The opposing end, with extras, delivered 68 off 37 legal deliveries during the period when Patidar scored 93 off 33.
GT needed something exceptional because they had never scored more than 233, and only Jos Buttler, with 29 off 11, came near. During the power play, the RCB fast bowlers destroyed half the team.
Did the umpires make the Sudharsan ruling too quickly?
Yes, B Sai Sudharsan's bat struck the wicket, but the ball soared off the bat for four. The hit-wicket must now occur while the ball is in play, according to the law. Would they have been able to slow it down and see if the ball struck the boundary before the bat struck the wicket? The bat most likely struck the wicket before the ball reached the fence, but that might have been verified. However, we have verified that when the bat destroyed the wicket, the ball had only travelled 35 yards. Just as you were.
Goodbye to two in one over
After taking three wickets, Rasikh Salam enters the game and continues to test the middle of the pitch with cross-seam deliveries. After sending back Nishant Sindhu with a beautiful diving catch, he catches Jason Holder mid-on with hard length. The shouting is everywhere. It's a maiden by two wickets.
Wickets continue to tumble
With three wickets in 3.3 overs, Jacob Duffy is bowling out. He bounces Rashid Khan to draw the top edge for the goalie after seeing him charge at him. In 10.3 overs, it is 78 for 7.
Will this be the biggest victory in the playoffs?
105 is the largest run differential in any type of IPL playoff game. With six overs remaining, GT is eight down and still 133 adrift. They might score the largest victory in an IPL playoff if they can eliminate Rahul Tewatia.
Won't be the biggest postseason loss
Rahul Tewatia has at least spared GT the humiliation of being the team with the greatest loss in an IPL playoff match with a resolutely behind-square 67 off 39 balls. They must now score 99 in two overs.
The purple cat is reclaimed by Bhuvneshwar
Rahul Tewatian is caught at extra cover for 68 off 43 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his final over. With this wicket, he is tied with Kagiso Rabada's 26, but Bhuvneshwar's economy is superior.
Everywhere in Dharamsala
The Dharamsala leg is over with a huge victory for the team that lost the toss, but there are still three crucial games left. GT will reflect on their fielding and question whether they could have held RCB to 200. Shubman Gill concurs. We'll end by giving you a sneak peek at our final report. We appreciate you coming. I'll see you tomorrow.
With the fastest innings of 90 or more in the IPL, Rajat Patidar led the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the final. He scored a delightful, undefeated 93 off 33 to lead his team to 254, the highest total in an IPL playoff, against Gujarat Titans (GT), the tournament's top attack. As they awaited Qualifier 2, the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, GT, having finished in the top two, still had a chance to advance to the final at their home stadium in Ahmedabad. The team that wins this match, Qualifier 1, has won the previous eight IPLs.
Despite missing the injured Phil Salt, RCB, who were asked to bat first in the chase-friendly Dharamsala, came out full of talent and intent. However, GT almost managed to sneak back in with a span of 22 balls, 18 runs, and two wickets of set batters in a single Jason Holder over. The opposing end, with extras, delivered 68 off 37 legal deliveries during the period when Patidar scored 93 off 33.
GT needed something exceptional because they had never scored more than 233, and only Jos Buttler, with 29 off 11, came near. During the power play, the RCB fast bowlers destroyed half the team.
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