The IPL 2026 playoffs got underway in emphatic fashion as Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismantled Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to secure a direct
berth in the final. Rajat Patidar's explosive unbeaten 93 powered RCB to a playoff-record 254 for five before their bowlers completed the job in Dharamsala.
1. RCB storm into IPL 2026 final with record-breaking Qualifier 1 win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru booked their place in the IPL 2026 final with a crushing 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala.
Led by captain Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 93, RCB piled up a playoff-record 254 for five before bundling Gujarat out for 162. The victory secured Bengaluru a direct route to the final, while Gujarat will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
2. Patidar and Kohli rewrite IPL playoff record books
RCB's dominant display produced a host of records. Their total of 254 for five became the highest ever score in an IPL playoff match, while their 38 boundaries were also the most by any team in a knockout fixture.
Patidar further strengthened his reputation as one of the IPL's greatest playoff performers. The RCB skipper now has 338 runs in knockout matches at an average of 112.66 and a strike rate above 193.
Virat Kohli also reached another landmark, becoming the first player in IPL history to register six separate seasons with 600 or more runs. The veteran has now crossed the 600-run mark in four consecutive editions.
3. Bhuvneshwar continues remarkable dominance over Shubman Gill
One of the defining moments of the contest came when Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill for the sixth time in IPL cricket.
Gill has managed just 80 runs from 79 balls against the veteran seamer while being dismissed six times, averaging only 13.33 in the matchup. The early breakthrough removed Gujarat's biggest batting threat and set the tone for RCB's commanding win.
4. Sai Sudharsan suffers bizarre hit-wicket dismissal
Gujarat's difficult evening was summed up by a freak dismissal involving Sai Sudharsan.
Attempting a cut shot against Jacob Duffy, Sudharsan lost control of his bat during the follow-through. The bat flew backwards into the stumps and dislodged the bails, resulting in an unusual hit-wicket dismissal that quickly went viral across social media.
The wicket sparked a collapse that saw Gujarat lose five wickets inside the powerplay.
5. Rabada creates IPL history despite Gujarat defeat
Although Gujarat's campaign suffered a setback, Kagiso Rabada achieved a major individual milestone.
The South African quick claimed his 18th powerplay wicket of IPL 2026, surpassing Mohammed Shami's previous record of 17 to become the bowler with the most wickets in the first six overs of a single IPL season.
Rabada also moved to 25 wickets for the campaign, extending his lead in the Purple Cap race.
6. IPL could move to September-October window after 2027
Away from the field, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal revealed that the BCCI could explore shifting the tournament from its traditional March-May slot to September-October in future seasons.
The proposal is being discussed as the league considers expansion beyond 2027, with cooler weather conditions and stronger pre-Diwali commercial opportunities cited as potential advantages.
No immediate changes are planned, but officials confirmed the possibility remains under consideration for future broadcast cycles.
