Royal Challengers Bengaluru created history in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans by posting the highest total ever recorded in IPL playoff history and sealing a place in the final with a dominant 92-run victory. RCB reached 254/5 in 20 overs after batting first in Dharamsala, where Gujarat Titans had opted to field after winning the toss.
GT skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field first, but RCB made full use of the conditions to pile up a massive score. The total surpassed the previous playoff best of 233/3, which was made by Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 in Ahmedabad.
RCB won IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 Match
RCB’s commanding all-round performance ensured a comprehensive 92-run win, securing their place in the final. Gujarat Titans struggled in response as they failed to match the steep chase under pressure.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a strong start in Qualifier One of the Indian Premier League 2026, scoring 76/1 in the powerplay against Gujarat Titans.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls, striking five fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 281.81. His knock formed the backbone of RCB’s record-setting total and powered a dominant finish to the innings.
Strong support from Kohli, Krunal and top order
Virat Kohli contributed 43 off 25 balls, while Krunal Pandya added 43 off 28 deliveries to keep the momentum strong in the middle order. Earlier, Venkatesh Iyer provided a quick start with 19 off seven balls, while Devdutt Padikkal scored 30 off 19 balls, helping RCB maintain early pressure on the Gujarat Titans bowling attack.
RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 Match Highlights
Gujarat Titans, who narrowly missed finishing top of the league stage on net run rate to RCB, suffered an early collapse in their chase. Openers Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill fell in the third and fourth overs respectively, putting GT under immediate pressure.
Sudharsan, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was dismissed hit wicket after his bat slipped during a cut shot and knocked the stumps, marking a rare and unfortunate dismissal.
Jos Buttler offered brief resistance with four fours and two sixes but was bowled by Josh Hazlewood for 29, deepening GT’s collapse. From there, Gujarat slid further before being bowled out for 162 in the final over, with Rahul Tewatia’s 68 providing the only significant resistance in an otherwise one-sided chase.
Despite the heavy defeat, Gujarat Titans remain alive in the tournament and will get another opportunity to reach the final when they face the winner of the eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.
