Rajat Patidar slammed a 33-ball 93, including 5 fours and 9 sixes, as Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns with the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026. GT won the toss and opted to field first, letting RCB post a score first. Devdutt Padikkal and Venkatesh Iyer started on a fiery note, whereas Virat Kohli accelerated after a cautious start. Venkatesh Iyer was dismissed in the powerplay, yet RCB scored 76 runs at the end of 6 overs. The game changed right after powerplay as Jason Holder dismissed Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal back-to-back in a single over. But Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya’s solid partnership kept RCB in the game, avoiding any collapse.

Rajat Patidar’s fearless batting and strokeplay under pressure in a playoff game is not a first instance. Rajat Patidar is renowned as one of the most prolific clutch batters in IPL playoff history, having scored 245 runs in just 5 playoff innings at a staggering average of 81.66 and an explosive strike rate of 172.53. From 2022 Eliminator 112 not out vs LSG to 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, Patidar has been a real maestro and captain, leading from the front. This 93 is a testament to his consistency and his skills as a part of the RCB squad.

RCB registered highest-ever playoffs total in history of IPL against GT

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's RCB highest-ever playoff total in the Indian Premier League is 254/5. They achieved this massive total against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 season, which stands as the highest team score in IPL playoff history, surpassing GT’s 233/3 against MI in Qualifier 2 in 2023.

After an initial fumble from RCB, skipper Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya’s scintillating partnership in the middle overs changed the course of RCB’s fate. Initially, both started to play slowly but changed momentum completely from the 15th over, hitting Kulwant Kejroliya for 28 runs in an over, taking RCB’s total to 150. The duo went on to hit spinner Rashid Khan further for a 21-run over. Although Kagiso Rabada dismissed Krunal Pandya, Patidar’s madness didn't stop. He scored 15 runs in Rabada’s over to reach his half-century from just 21 balls. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna too didn’t get spared as in the death overs they got slammed for 21 and 19 runs by Patidar and Jites Sharma registering 254 to chase.

Interestingly, Patidar was dropped twice by GT fielders in the 14th over.