RCB Bengaluru has reached the IPL 2026 finals with a thumping win, and captain Rajat Patidar ensured that the team made a clear statement through its win. RCB beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs after scoring 254 for the loss of only 5 wickets in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala. Patidar took center stage with his explosive innings of 93 runs from just 33 deliveries, helping the defending champs reach the IPL final for a second consecutive year. After winning the match, Patidar emphasized on RCB’s aggressive nature and said that the team wants to put pressure on the opposition right from the start.
The defending-champion captain also explained his own batting mindset clearly. “I am not worried about my wicket. I always like to put the bowler under pressure.”
RCB’s batting effort reflected that approach throughout the innings. Even after losing early wickets, the side continued to attack Gujarat’s bowlers. Patidar first settled in, assessed the pitch for a few deliveries, and then shifted gears quickly. Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer also attacked from the start, while Krunal Pandya added late momentum. The result was the highest total ever recorded in an IPL knockout game.
Patidar steps up on the biggest stage
But Patidar showed his true colours for his team when RCB needed him the most as he scored an unbeaten 93, playing with a strike rate over 280, including five fours and nine sixes. The important part about his innings was that he played a high-pressure qualifier against one of the best bowlers of this season. Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket, mentioned that his captain’s form has boosted the whole team.
Bobat pointed out that Patidar handled the situation smartly after RCB lost wickets early, as he said, “He picked his moments really well.”
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He added that Patidar showed “discipline and sophistication” in understanding when to attack and when to hold back. Patidar now has 486 runs this season from 13 innings at a strike rate close to 197, including five fifties and 41 sixes. RCB’s dominance was not limited to batting alone. The bowlers removed Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler inside the powerplay, exactly as planned. Patidar later confirmed that Gujarat’s top three had been identified as the key targets before the match. Once those wickets fell, GT never recovered despite resistance from Rahul Tewatia.
Patidar’s clean hitting becomes RCB’s biggest weapon
Bobat additionally pointed out one trait which has distinguished Patidar in this year’s campaign, and that is his ball-striking ability. As stated by the RCB management team, it is because of his ball-striking abilities that Patidar is now considered a threat to all bowlers – fast or slow. Bobat mentioned how he had once jokingly referred to Patidar as “spin bouncer”, before realizing that Patidar was good against all bowlers.
No matter how aggressive or defensive his batting style, Patidar has been able to make solid contact with the ball this season. This was reflected in his performance in Dharamsala where he dominated the Gujarat bowlers before a full house during a playoff game.
The victory secured RCB a fifth IPL final appearance, but it also means that they get another chance at defending their crown. Gujarat Titans must now face the Qualifier 2 match for a chance to reach the final, but RCB will head into the match with plenty of momentum, confidence, and a determined captain.
