IPL 2026: Rajat Patidar gives RCB a new identity, GT’s worst nightmare comes true

“We showed it through our body language that we are coming for you,” said Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar after his team stormed into the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) final, hammering Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1.

The RCB skipper walked the talk with his breathtaking innings of 93* (33) studded with five fours and nine sixes as he launched an all-out assault on Gujarat’s famed bowling attack, helping his team post the highest-ever score (254/5) in IPL playoffs.

Gujarat came into the game with the crown of best bowling attack of the tournament, having taken most wickets in the powerplay (30), and also having the best economy rate (9.27). However, after sending a clear message to his team to show intent right from the word go, Patidar didn’t spare anyone from the wrath of his willow, taking down the stalwarts such as Kagiso Rabada, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan and Mohammed Siraj.

A never-before-seen RCB

Seeing Patidar lead the charge with the bat, the fans witnessed a new version of RCB that had never been seen before. For 17 seasons, the franchise never realised its true potential and often faltered at the most crucial stage of the tournament. However, having finally got the monkey off their back by winning their maiden trophy in 2025, RCB were stamping their authority on Gujarat, as if to make a statement as defending champions.

Every fearless six that soared high into the night sky and landed in the crowd was a testament to how far the franchise had come over the past two years. Known for failing time and again in the playoffs, RCB’s belligerent approach led by their captain was enough to instil fear even in the most successful bowling unit of the season, which suddenly began missing its lengths under pressure.

Patidar and his men made full use of every lapse made by Gujarat’s bowlers and crushed them with their batting might. In the second innings, tasked with chasing a humongous target of 255, GT capitulated under pressure to get bundled out for 162, handing RCB the second biggest win in IPL playoffs.

GT's biggest weakness exposed

Gujarat’s worst nightmare came true in the all-important phase of the tournament, with their famed top order collapsing against RCB’s bowling attack that was riding high on momentum. Sai Sudharsan (14 off 9), Shubman Gill (2 off 7) and Jos Buttler (29 off 11) all departed cheaply, leaving GT staring down the barrel.

While the top-order collapse caught Gujarat off guard, the writing had been on the wall throughout their campaign. Among all ten teams, GT have been most heavily dependent on their top three batters, who’ve contributed to 67.02% of the total runs scored by the team this season.

Can Gujarat recover from a crushing defeat?

As GT secured their berth in the playoffs, the fear of a top-order collapse was on everyone’s lips, and it materialised when the team dreaded the most. Gujarat's middle order has been quite vulnerable throughout their campaign due to a lack of opportunities.

As they now move ahead into Qualifier 2, GT can’t afford any more lapses as they stand on the brink of elimination. The bowling unit might shrug off qualifier 1 as a one off day, but another collapse in the upcoming game could well crush all their hopes of a second title victory. 

As far as RCB are concerned, they look primed to successfully defend their title, and after Tuesday's win, no team would be willing to face them in the summit clash.