Gujarat Titans (GT) dominated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to secure a vital four-wicket victory in their IPL 2026 encounter in Ahmedabad on Thursday. After choosing to field first, GT dismissed RCB for a mere 155 runs in 19.1 overs. Virat Kohli hammered Kagiso Rabada for five consecutive fours in a single over, though the fast bowler struck back by claiming his wicket. RCB’s batting crumbled afterward as they endured a devastating middle-order collapse. Shubman Gill (43) and Jos Buttler (39) delivered explosive innings, setting up GT to reach the target in just 15.5 overs. GT Outperforms RCB in all three departments .
TOSS-
Gujarat Titans won the coin toss and elected to bowl first.
PLAYING XI –
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI):
Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI):
Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU-
The massive crowd of 90,865 at Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed some brilliant Virat Kohli batting early on, as the experienced batsman launched an assault on Kagiso Rabada during the second over. Striking five straight boundaries – including an elegant loft over mid-off from a good length, a crisp cut through backward point, and a flowing drive through cover – Kohli demonstrated the exceptional form that has defined his season and carried into this match.
He advanced down the track and hammered Mohammed Siraj over long-on as well, making his earlier struggles seem like ancient history – particularly after being beaten on the first delivery and nearly playing onto his stumps moments later. However, Rabada responded by digging one short as Kohli charged, forcing a top-edged pull that Rashid Khan pouched with a tumbling catch at mid-wicket.
The surface wasn’t particularly challenging. While Rashid generated spin, the real damage occurred before his influence took hold, as RCB’s batsmen succumbed to numerous soft dismissals. Remarkably, four batsmen including Kohli ended up finding the short mid-wicket fielder. RCB managed only two wickets during the Powerplay, but Rajat Patidar appeared uncomfortable against Rabada’s persistent pressure, with one delivery kicking up from a short length as the leading edge narrowly missed the deep third man fielder.
Patidar’s dismissal sparked debate when Jason Holder executed a spectacular catch at deep square leg while avoiding a collision with Rabada. The third umpire ruled Patidar out, though replays suggested the ball might have touched the ground, raising questions about complete control of the catch. Holder’s presence was felt everywhere – he removed Jitesh Sharma before taking another catch at short mid-wicket as Tim David attempted to slog a Rashid delivery. Only Devdutt Padikkal offered genuine resistance with his 40 runs, while impact substitute Venkatesh Iyer struggled during his brief appearance.
GUJARAT TITANS-
Facing a manageable target, Shubman Gill showed no mercy, launching a four and six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first over. His real statement came against Josh Hazlewood, where he unleashed three boundaries and two maximums while displaying his complete stroke arsenal during the second over. This unfolded with Kohli providing vocal encouragement nearby in an intense contest. Gill’s timing was so pure that even his dismissal shot was perfectly struck, only to find Kohli stationed at cover. Jos Buttler then savaged Hazlewood, who leaked 49 runs across three Powerplay overs before ending with figures of 0/56.
Bhuvneshwar claimed his fifth three-wicket performance of the season by removing the top three batsmen, though Buttler’s explosive cameo seemingly sealed the chase. The situation changed when Romario Shepherd’s double strike in the 11th over briefly reopened the contest for RCB. The experienced duo of Rahul Tewatia and Jason Holder steadied the ship with a quick 30-run partnership, and despite Holder falling to Suyash Sharma, Tewatia and Rashid Khan finished the job with deliveries remaining. Notably, Krunal Pandya never bowled, which seemed puzzling given RCB’s limited bowling options after substituting in a batsman.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 155 in 19.2 overs [Devdutt Padikkal 40 (24); Arshad Khan 3-19, Rashid Khan 2-19, Jason Holder 2-29] lost to Gujarat Titans 158/6 in 15.5 overs [Shubman Gill 43 (18), Jos Buttler 39 (19); Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-28, Romario Shepherd 2-30] by 4 wickets.
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