Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan had been dismissed in a highly unusual manner during the IPL Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While attempting an attacking stroke, he lost his grip and his bat slipped from his hands, flying backwards to break his own stumps as the ball raced away. The Gujarat batsman looked heartbroken and disappointed after this dismissal, as after this, GT suffered a dramatic collapse, reducing GT to 51/5 within the power play.

This dismissal made history as Sai Sudharshan became the first player in IPL history to be dismissed Hit Wicket twice. Before this, he suffered the same unfortunate fate during the 2022 IPL season in a match against the Mumbai Indians, where he accidentally fell onto his own wickets while trying to play a pull shot. He departed with a disbelief on his face, and the GT camp couldn’t believe their 5th wicket fell off, narrowing their dream of reaching the final directly.

Rahul Tewatia shines amongst Gujarat Titans’ dramatic collapse

RCB registered the highest-ever score in a playoff in the history of IPL 254 after being sent to bat first by GT. RCB too had a mini collapse in the beginning, but Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya’s scintillating partnership in the middle over didn’t let RCB slip away. Patidar’s iconic knock of 93 in 33 balls did the job single-handedly, already putting GT in the backseat.

RCB bowlers did the rest as GT’s most reliable top three batsmen, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharshan, and Jos Buttler, fell early within the powerplay, sending back half the team to the pavilion before even 6 overs. Wickets kept falling in daily succession with a feeling that GT won’t even cross 100, but it was Rahul Tewatia’s innings that at least gave GT some respectable total to put in chase. Although in a lost cause, Tewatia scored 68 in 43 balls, finally dismissed by Bhuvneswar Kumar. RCB won the match by 92 runs, advancing to the finals of IPL 2026.

Gujarat Titans would have another chance in Qualifier 2 to reclaim themselves, playing the team that wins the Eliminator.