New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore have made it to the final of IPL 2026 by defeating Gujarat Titans by a huge margin of 92 runs in the first qualifier. Chasing the record target of 255 runs, Gujarat team was reduced to 162 runs. Captain Rajat Patidar’s stormy innings of 93 runs and the brilliant performance of the bowlers gave Bengaluru a historic victory.

Patidar’s captaincy innings laid the foundation   

Let us tell you that after losing the toss, RCB came to bat first and scored a mountain of 254 runs in 20 overs. Captain Rajat Patidar scored unbeaten 93 runs in just 33 balls. His innings included 5 fours and 9 sixes.

Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya also played important innings of 43-43 runs. Under the captaincy of Patidar, RCB has become the third team to reach the finals while being the defending champion. Before this, only Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have been able to do this feat.

Gujarat’s batting failed   

In reply to 255 runs, Gujarat Titans had a bad start. Jacob Duffy’s early spell scattered the top order. Duffy took 3 wickets in the match. Only Rahul Tewatia could fight from Gujarat’s side.

He scored 68 runs on 43 balls, which was his first fifty this season. Jos Buttler added 29 runs, but no other batsman could survive. Bhuvneshwar Kumar again won the Purple Cap by taking 2 wickets.

Bengaluru reached the final for the fifth time   

By winning the first qualifier, RCB has directly reached the final to be held on May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is the fifth time in IPL history that Bengaluru will play the final.

Earlier the team had reached the finals in 2009, 2011, 2016 and 2025. RCB is now at third place in terms of playing the finals most number of times. Only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are ahead of him.

havoc of bowlers   

It is noteworthy that in this match, while defending 254 runs, RCB bowlers attacked Gujarat. Jacob Duffy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the rest of the bowlers together restricted Gujarat to 162 runs. This victory of RCB was dominated by both bat and ball. Now fans are hopeful that this time the team will end its 18-year title drought.