CLINICAL CLINCH: Patidar Blasts Bengaluru into IPL Final

May.27 (Mirror Sports) - Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL final on Tuesday, crushing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in a one-sided Qualifier 1 showdown.

Captain Rajat Patidar produced a sensational unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls, powering Bengaluru to 254-5 — the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match.

“We wanted an attacking mindset on this stage,” Patidar said after earning Player of the Match honors. “The way we dominated was superb.”

Bengaluru’s Blitz

Virat Kohli (43) and Devdutt Padikkal (30) laid the platform with a rapid 72-run stand before Jason Holder struck twice in one over.

Patidar then exploded alongside Krunal Pandya (40), adding 95 runs as Gujarat’s sloppy fielding unraveled. Patidar reached his fifty in just 21 balls.

Titans Collapse Early

Chasing 255, Gujarat crumbled to 51-5 inside the Powerplay.

Opener Sai Sudharsan suffered a bizarre hit-wicket dismissal after losing grip of his bat, which crashed into the stumps.

Rasikh Salam struck twice in an over, while veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood removed Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler early.

A fighting 68 from impact substitute Rahul Tewatia delayed the inevitable, but Gujarat were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.

What’s Next

Bengaluru advance directly to Sunday’s IPL final in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat still have one final chance. Gill’s side will face the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Friday for the remaining spot in the final.