How RCB cracked formula for consecutive IPL finals

• RCB reach second successive IPL final after 92-run win over GT
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3 wickets to reclaim the Purple Cap
• RCB aim to become only the third team to defend the IPL title

Bhuvneshwar Kumar credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s backroom staff and meticulous planning after the defending champions secured a second successive IPL final berth with a commanding 92-run victory

over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.

The experienced pacer delivered another superb spell, finishing with figures of 4-0-28-3 to reclaim the Purple Cap and play a crucial role in dismantling Gujarat’s powerful batting line-up during their chase of 255 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

IPL 2026 | Schedule | Results | Orange Cap | Purple Cap

While RCB’s batting stole the headlines through captain Rajat Patidar’s explosive unbeaten 93, Bhuvneshwar said the bowling unit’s success this season has been built on careful preparation and execution.

“A lot of credit goes to the men behind the scenes, the kind of plans and the way we executed those plans. The experience of Hoff (Josh Hazlewood) and me is useful, but the support staff has been outstanding,” he said.

The veteran seamer explained that although analytics and data have become an important part of modern T20 cricket, RCB’s bowlers do not rely entirely on numbers.

“They set up the plans and we’re executing. I can say we’re data informed; if there are places where we can improve, we do refer to it, but we don’t go 100 per cent,” Bhuvneshwar added.

‘Not To Give Room’

RCB’s pacers consistently attacked the stumps and denied Gujarat’s batters room to free their arms, a tactic that worked perfectly under pressure. Gujarat lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 162.

“We make a lot of effort not to give room, get those leg-before wickets and bowled; we do a lot of planning,” Bhuvneshwar said.

The 36-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign, claiming 26 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 18.15. His performances have been a key part of RCB’s dominant run to the final.

RCB’s latest victory also marked their fifth appearance in an IPL final and kept alive hopes of becoming only the third franchise, after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, to successfully defend the IPL title.

(With inputs from Agencies)