Fans erupt as Rajat Patidar powers RCB to a record-breaking total against GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1

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The scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala witnessed absolute cricketing carnage on Tuesday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the high-stakes Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League. After GT won the toss and elected to field under the lights, their bowling unit was subjected to a relentless onslaught. Led by a blistering, captainā€™s knock from Rajat Patidar, RCB posted a staggering, record-breaking total of 254/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The deafening roars of the fans echoed through the mountains as the Bengaluru franchise set an imposing mountain of a chase for the Titans to book a direct ticket to the finals.

Rajat Patidar explodes with an electrifying knock against GT

Stepping out as the captain on the big stage, Patidar played an innings for the history books. Coming into bat after the quick departures of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the ninth over left RCB momentarily stuttering at 94/3, Patidar completely flipped the momentum. He launched an astonishing counterattack that left the Gujarat Titansā€™ bowling strategy in absolute tatters.

Patidar exploded right from the get-go, reaching his half-century in just 21 deliveries. He remained unbeaten on a breathtaking 93 off just 33 balls, operating at a mind-boggling strike rate of 281.81. The GT bowlers found no refuge as Patidar dismantled both pace and spin with equal disdain, smashing 5 fours and sending the ball over the ropes 9 times. His incredible knock anchored the backend of the innings, single-handedly morphing a good total into an uncopable, monstrous target.

RCB put on record target for GTā€™s chase in Qualifier 1

The groundwork for this historic total was laid early on by a fearless top order. Despite losing Venkatesh Iyer (19 off 7) early to Kagiso Rabada, Kohli and Padikkal constructed a rapid 50-run partnership off just 23 balls. Kohli looked in sublime touch, striking at 172.00 for his 43 off 25 balls, while Padikkal chipped in with a brisk 30 off 19. Their aggression ensured RCB maximized the powerplay, rocketing to 76/1 in the first six overs.

When the mid-innings wobble threatened to slow things down, Krunal Pandya stepped up as an ideal foil to Patidar. Pandya played a crucial, high-impact cameo, scoring 43 off 28 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, stitching together a vital 4th-wicket stand. Following Krunalā€™s dismissal, Tim David kept the intensity alive with a lightning-fast 4 off just 5 balls, while Jitesh Sharma provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 15 off 5 balls at a strike rate of 300.00.

The extraordinary acceleration saw RCB cross the 150-mark in 14.3 overs, breach the 200-run barrier in 16.4 overs, and touch 250 in the final over. The final 5 overs were nothing short of a leather hunt, yielding a massive 86 runs at a run rate of 17.20.

On the bowling front, it was a night to forget for Shubman Gillā€˜s men. Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/39 in his 4 overs, while Rabada claimed 2 wickets but bled 54 runs. Mohammed Siraj suffered heavily, conceding 46 runs in his 3 overs without a wicket, while Prasidh Krishna ended with 1/53. Even the introduction of Rahul Tewatia as an Impact Sub for Kulwant Khejroliya could do little to stem the flow of runs. With a current run rate of 12.70, RCBā€™s 254/5 sets up a monumental, record-breaking chase for the Gujarat Titans in this thrilling Qualifier 1.

Also WATCH:Ā Shubman Gill takes a stunning running catch to dismiss dangerous Venkatesh Iyer in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1

Hereā€™s how fans reacted:

Also READ:Ā Hereā€™s how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have fared in the IPL playoffs

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