Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL 2026 final with a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala, producing a clinical all-round performance that once again highlighted their championship credentials. RCB posted a massive 254 before bowling Gujarat out for 162 in 19.3 overs. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 93, while Jacob Duffy starred with the ball by claiming three crucial wickets.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam also chipped in with two wickets each as RCB dismantled GT under pressure. Following the emphatic victory, former CSK batter Aniruddha Srikanth questioned whether India has overlooked Krunal Pandya despite his consistent performances in the IPL over the last two seasons.
“Krunal Pandya’s performance begs the question whether the selectors have made a mistake by not bringing him back into the setup,” Aniruddha Srikanth said.
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He further claimed that Krunal’s IPL performances have been superior to some of India’s current spin-bowling all-rounders in recent years. “When you look at the last two seasons, he has been miles ahead of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja in terms of IPL performances. A lot of players have made it to the Indian team based on IPL form, and in T20 cricket Krunal has been outstanding,” he added.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth also backed Krunal for a national comeback and called him a major factor behind RCB’s recent success.
“Krunal Pandya has been a key catalyst in RCB winning last year and reaching the final this year. He deserves an Indian call-up again,” Srikkanth stated. On the field, RCB got off to an explosive start as Venkatesh Iyer smashed 19 off just seven balls before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal then steadied the innings with a fluent 71-run partnership.
Jason Holder briefly pulled GT back into the contest by removing Kohli for 43 and Padikkal for 30 in quick succession. However, Patidar and Krunal Pandya shifted momentum again with a crucial 95-run stand for the fourth wicket. Krunal scored a valuable 43 off 28 balls before Rabada ended the partnership.
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Patidar continued his assault till the end, while Jitesh Sharma’s late cameo powered RCB to the highest total in IPL playoff history.
RCB’s bowlers then took complete control of the chase. Duffy dismissed Sai Sudharsan early, while Bhuvneshwar cleaned up Shubman Gill for just two. Rasikh Salam impressed with a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal of Nishanth Sindhu and later removed Jason Holder for a duck. Rahul Tewatia fought hard with a 68-run knock, but GT never recovered from the early collapse as RCB sealed a comprehensive win to book another IPL final appearance.
