RCB ended their 18-year wait to win the IPL last year.

Indian Premier League, Qualifier 1, Dharamshala

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 254-5 (20 overs): Patidar 93* (33)

Gujarat Titans 162 (19.3 overs): Tewatia 68 (43), Buttler 29 (11); Duffy 3-39

Rajat Patidar thrashed 93 not out from just 33 balls as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru powered into the final of the 2026 Indian Premier League with a 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans.

RCB were 94-3 in the ninth over, veteran Virat Kohli out for 43, but Patidar hit nine sixes in addition to five fours to power his side to 254-5. The total was the highest in an IPL play-off with 126 runs coming from the last seven overs.

Gujarat, who were only pipped to top spot in the league phase on net run-rate by RCB, lost key openers Sai Sudharsan and India Test captain Shubman Gill in the third and fourth overs respectively. Sudharsan, the tournament's leading run-scorer, was out hit wicket after his bat slipped from his hands playing a cut shot and bounced onto the stumps.

Afterwards, England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler hit four fours and two sixes but was bowled by Australia's Josh Hazlewood for 29, continuing a sorry slide.

From 88-8, Gujarat limped on to 162 before being dismissed in the final over. Rahul Tewatia made 68 but the match was long decided.

Gujarat still have a second chance to reach Sunday's final. They will play the winner of Wednesday's eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

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