New Delhi: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into their second successive IPL final with a crushing 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on Tuesday.RCB captain Rajat Patidar led the charge with an unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls as Bengaluru posted a massive 254 for five after being asked to bat first. Patidar smashed nine sixes and five fours and completely changed the game in the final overs after surviving two falls earlier in his innings.RCB have scored 114 runs in the last six overs, including 86 in the last five, leaving the Gujarat Titans under immense pressure in the chase.The innings started strongly with Venkatesh Iyer attacking Mohammed Siraj in the first over with three boundaries. He turned 19 before being sacked by Kagiso Rabada.Virat Kohli then built a partnership with Devdutt Padikkal to keep the scoring rate high. Kohli scored 43 runs while Padikkal added 30 as RCB reached 76 for one in the powerplay.The GT manages to slow things down briefly in the middle. Jason Holder removed Kohli and Padikkal off the top, while Rashid Khan bowled tightly.
But the game changed completely in the 14th minute. Patidar, who was dropped twice by GT players off Prasidh Krishna, made full use of his lifelines. Left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya gave away 28 runs in the over which included mis-fielding, two balls and a wide.Patidar attacked both Khejroliya and Rashid Khan in the death overs, while Krunal Pandya provided support with 43 runs during a 95-run partnership. Patidar raised his fifty with a six off Rabada and continued to bat until the end.Chasing 255, Gujarat Titans needed a strong start but lost wickets early. Sai Sudharsen was dismissed in an unusual manner when his bat slipped from his hands while facing Jacob Duffy and hit the stumps. Sudharsen made 14.GT captain Shubman Gill fell soon after for just two, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The experienced player finished with two wickets and also moved to the top of the Purple Cap standings with 26 wickets.Josh Hazlewood then dismissed Jos Buttler for 29, while Rasikh Salam removed Nishant Sandhu and Holder at the same time as GT fell to 51 for five inside the powerplay.Rahul Tewatia responded with 68 but the target was too big. Gujarat Titans were eventually bowled out for 162.The win sent RCB to their fifth IPL final after 2009, 2011, 2016 and 2025. Gujarat Titans will now play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad for the remaining spot in the final.