Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) faced off in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 on May 26, 2026, in Dharmshala. GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first.

RCB prepared to take on the GT bowlers, and Venkatesh Iyer showed intent with a 7-ball 19. Devdutt Padikkal continued the pattern, scoring 30 runs in 19 balls with five fours, while Virat Kohli hit 43 runs in 25 balls with five fours and one six.

However, the RCB's greatest innings came from captain Rajat Patidar, who counterattacked after Kohli and Padikkal were dismissed in the same over. He scored 93* in 33 balls, including nine sixes and five fours. Krunal Pandya (43) and Jitesh Sharma (15* in 5 balls) gave him superb support.

RCB scored 254/5 in 20 overs, the highest total in an IPL playoff match.

Sai Sudharsan (14) and Jos Buttler (29) looked strong for a while, but GT's innings never got going in response. They lost a ton of wickets, and GT only managed to score 162 thanks to Rahul Tewatia's 68. Jacob Duffy grabbed 3/39 for RCB, while Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar each claimed two wickets.

RCB qualified for the IPL 2026 final, which will take place in Ahmedabad on May 31, with this 92-run victory.

During the match, Virat Kohli had a funny moment as he began marking his run-up. He then approached the umpire, who had his cap, before sharing a laugh with him, and then gave the ball to Jacob Duffy.

GT will now play in Qualifier 2 in the winner of the Eliminator match that will be played on May 27, 2026, between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur.