Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached the IPL 2026 final with a dominant 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamshala as Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93-run knock helped RCB post 254 runs before bundling GT out for 162.
Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikanth likened the holders’ unit to that of the seasoned Chennai Super Kings outfit from the year 2018, who went on to win the title.
“Look at the experience present in the RCB squad. Remember back in 2018, when CSK lifted the cup despite being branded ‘Daddies’ Army’?” Srikanth said.
“This RCB side is similar to that unit, highly experienced with King of Kings Kohli leading from the front.”
“The catches they take, the passion Kohli brings in with that aggression,”
he added.
“The way they are playing now, they play like a real champion side, outstanding cricket,” the 66-year-old continued.
“This is how a side should be, everyone is aggressive, everyone is passionate, fantastic,” he said.
After Venkatesh Iyer’s quick 19, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal steadied the innings with a 71-run stand. Kohli made 43 and Padikkal 30 before both fell in quick succession to Jason Holder. Patidar then combined with Krunal Pandya for a 95-run partnership, with Krunal scoring 43 off 28. Even after Tim David’s dismissal for 4 by Prasidh Krishna, Patidar kept attacking and finished not out, aided by Jitesh Sharma’s late cameo of 15 off 5 balls to push RCB to a massive total.
In reply, GT’s chase never took off. Jacob Duffy removed Sai Sudharsan for 14, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Shubman Gill for 2. Jos Buttler’s 29 ended via Josh Hazlewood, and Rashik Salam struck twice, getting Nishanth Sindhu for 5 and Holder for a duck. Duffy then sent back Washington Sundar for 8 and completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing Rashid Khan for 8. Rahul Tewatia’s score (stated as 698) ended when Bhuvneshwar removed him, and Krunal Pandya wrapped up the innings by dismissing Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj for 9 and 5 respectively, as GT were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.
