Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a strong batting display to defeat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, successfully chasing down a target of 206 with seven balls remaining.

The chase was built around a commanding partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Kohli played a superb knock of 81 off 44 balls, anchoring the innings with authority, while Padikkal provided explosive support with a 27-ball 55. The pair added 115 runs in just 59 balls, ensuring the required run rate stayed under control throughout the middle phase.

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RCB had an early setback in the chase when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jacob Bethell, leaving the team at 26/1 in three overs. However, Kohli and Padikkal steadied the innings and then shifted gears to take control of the match.

After both set batters departed in quick succession, the game briefly swung in Gujarat Titans’ favour. Rashid Khan and Manav Suthar struck at crucial moments, reducing RCB to 175/5 in 16 overs. Rajat Patidar (8) and Jitesh Sharma (10) fell during this phase, increasing the pressure on the chasing side.

With 31 runs needed from the final four overs, Krunal Pandya stepped up for the home team. He played a decisive unbeaten knock of 23 off 12 balls, taking on the GT bowlers with confidence. His aggressive approach included a crucial 18th over that yielded 15 runs, shifting the momentum firmly back towards RCB. Tim David also supported well with an unbeaten 10 off nine balls.

Krunal eventually sealed the victory in the 19th over, pulling a short delivery from Jason Holder towards deep square leg for a single as RCB reached 206/5 in 18.5 overs. The win helped RCB climb to second place in the IPL 2026 points table with 10 points from seven matches, including five wins and two losses.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans had posted a competitive total of 205/3, largely powered by Sai Sudharsan’s outstanding century. After being asked to bat first by RCB captain Rajat Patidar, GT openers Shubman Gill and Sudharsan provided a strong start, taking the team to 57/0 in the powerplay.

Gill scored a steady 32 off 24 balls before being dismissed by Suyash Sharma in the 13th over. The opening pair had already put together a 100-run stand in the 10th over, setting a solid platform.

Sudharsan was the standout performer, reaching his half-century in 33 balls and then accelerating to complete his century in 58 deliveries. His innings included 11 boundaries and five sixes, dominating the RCB bowling attack.

By the end of the 15th over, GT were in a commanding position at 155/1. Josh Hazlewood eventually broke the momentum by dismissing Sudharsan in the 16th over. Washington Sundar added quick runs, including a six off Hazlewood, but RCB bowlers tightened things in the death overs.

Suyash Sharma bowled an economical 17th over, conceding just four runs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar followed with another tight over, giving away only five runs and removing Jos Buttler for 25. Hazlewood continued the control in the 19th over, conceding just eight runs.

Jason Holder provided a late flourish in the final over, smashing two sixes and a boundary to take Gujarat Titans past the 200-run mark.

Despite Sudharsan’s brilliant century, RCB’s strong batting effort led by Kohli and Padikkal ensured they chased down the target comfortably to secure an important victory.

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