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In the match number 71, which was Qualifier 1 of Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala. Chasing a mammoth score of 256, Shubman Gill was out early in the game. GT captain struggles to score in an important match
Shubman Gill was dodged by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. RCB fast bowler once again took a wicket in the power play. For the Indian fast bowler, it was his 14th power play, he has made a strong comeback after being out of the national team and has been asking questions of every international cricketer this season.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar clean bowled Shubman Gill
On a wicket where there was a lot for the batsmen, Shubman Gill was out after scoring 2 runs in 7 balls. The GT captain will be angry with himself, because this incident happened on the first ball of the third over.
The ball was picked up and bowled back to the opener as Shubman Gill, under pressure from the big run-chase, tried to play the shot across the line, and missed it completely, with the ball hitting the middle stump.
To deliver the best blow in the absolutely best way possible! 🎯
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 🤝 Josh Hazlewood ❤️
Update ▶️ https://t.co/9rs6u5obOw#TATAIPL | #qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #rcbvgt | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/tcPZkJCYoc
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 26 May 2026
A brilliant first over kept him calm and Bhuvneshwar sent him packing in his second over. After this wicket, he dismissed Gill 7 times in 15 innings. In all his T20 matches, Gill has scored 80 runs on 79 balls at an average of 13.33.
RCB bowlers dominate Titans
The GT batting order has completely collapsed after the wickets of its two openers Sai Sudarshan and Shubman Gill. They lost half their team inside the power play as Jos Buttler was the leading scorer with 29 runs as he hit back at the RCB bowlers but was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood. As the top order collapsed, GT’s weakness in the middle order was badly exposed.
GT seven are behind as they are far away from the run chase, and have almost lost the game. The only batsman coming in the next match is Rahul Tewatia who is at the crease with the tailenders. RCB will reach the final for the second time and will have a chance to defend their trophy after becoming champions last season.
Rajat Patidar hero for RCB
Batting first, Venkatesh Iyer’s impressive inning of 19 runs off 7 balls made the defending champions. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal continued the flow of runs and made a partnership of 72 runs. The former scored 43 runs and Padikkal was out on 30 runs.
Rajat Patidar stood firm with Krunal Pandya. Both the batsmen scored 95 runs between themselves before the southpaw was out for 43 runs. Patidar missed his well-deserved century and remained unbeaten on 93 off 33 balls, breaking a few records that night. RCB scored 254/5 in their 20 overs, the highest ever score in a playoff match.
Also Read: Rajat Patidar and Royal Challengers Bangalore rewrite IPL playoff history in Qualifier 1 vs GT
