Bengaluru reach IPL final after crushing Gujarat by 92 runs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their spot in the Indian Premier League final with a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans in qualifier one. The win was spearheaded by captain Rajat Patidar's explosive, unbeaten 93, bringing the defending champions closer to a second consecutive title.

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I don’t think our fielding was at par, dropping a couple of catches, and then our ground fielding was not up to the mark.

Chasing a daunting 255, the highest target ever set in an IPL playoff match, Gujarat's chase faltered early. They were ultimately dismissed for 162 in 19.3 overs, unable to match Bengaluru's clinical bowling performance. Bengaluru's batting lineup capitalized on favorable conditions after a strong start, reaching 76-1 in the powerplay.

Despite a brief check from pacer Jason Holder, who took quick wickets, Patidar and Krunal Pandya seized control. Their aggressive batting, including a 28-run over, put Gujarat's bowlers under immense pressure. Patidar, who was dropped on 20, made the most of the reprieve, finishing as Bengaluru's top scorer with nine sixes and five fours off just 33 balls.

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At the start, I take eight to 10 balls to see how the wicket is behaving, what the ball is doing. And after that, I bat with a clear mind about how I have to go about it.

Gujarat captain Shubman Gill acknowledged the team's subpar fielding. "I don’t think our fielding was at par, dropping a couple of catches, and then our ground fielding was not up to the mark," he stated. While Rahul Tewatia offered a late surge with 68, an early collapse to 51-5 in the powerplay proved insurmountable for Gujarat.

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I’m not worried about my wicket. So, I always like to put bowlers under pressure.