The scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala witnessed absolute cricketing carnage on Tuesday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the high-stakes Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League. After GT won the toss and elected to field under the lights, their bowling unit was subjected to a relentless onslaught. Led by a blistering, captain’s knock from Rajat Patidar, RCB posted a staggering, record-breaking total of 254/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The deafening roars of the fans echoed through the mountains as the Bengaluru franchise set an imposing mountain of a chase for the Titans to book a direct ticket to the finals.

Rajat Patidar explodes with an electrifying knock against GT

Stepping out as the captain on the big stage, Patidar played an innings for the history books. Coming into bat after the quick departures of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the ninth over left RCB momentarily stuttering at 94/3, Patidar completely flipped the momentum. He launched an astonishing counterattack that left the Gujarat Titans’ bowling strategy in absolute tatters.

Patidar exploded right from the get-go, reaching his half-century in just 21 deliveries. He remained unbeaten on a breathtaking 93 off just 33 balls, operating at a mind-boggling strike rate of 281.81. The GT bowlers found no refuge as Patidar dismantled both pace and spin with equal disdain, smashing 5 fours and sending the ball over the ropes 9 times. His incredible knock anchored the backend of the innings, single-handedly morphing a good total into an uncopable, monstrous target.

RCB put on record target for GT’s chase in Qualifier 1

The groundwork for this historic total was laid early on by a fearless top order. Despite losing Venkatesh Iyer (19 off 7) early to Kagiso Rabada, Kohli and Padikkal constructed a rapid 50-run partnership off just 23 balls. Kohli looked in sublime touch, striking at 172.00 for his 43 off 25 balls, while Padikkal chipped in with a brisk 30 off 19. Their aggression ensured RCB maximized the powerplay, rocketing to 76/1 in the first six overs.

When the mid-innings wobble threatened to slow things down, Krunal Pandya stepped up as an ideal foil to Patidar. Pandya played a crucial, high-impact cameo, scoring 43 off 28 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, stitching together a vital 4th-wicket stand. Following Krunal’s dismissal, Tim David kept the intensity alive with a lightning-fast 4 off just 5 balls, while Jitesh Sharma provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 15 off 5 balls at a strike rate of 300.00.

The extraordinary acceleration saw RCB cross the 150-mark in 14.3 overs, breach the 200-run barrier in 16.4 overs, and touch 250 in the final over. The final 5 overs were nothing short of a leather hunt, yielding a massive 86 runs at a run rate of 17.20.

On the bowling front, it was a night to forget for Shubman Gill‘s men. Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/39 in his 4 overs, while Rabada claimed 2 wickets but bled 54 runs. Mohammed Siraj suffered heavily, conceding 46 runs in his 3 overs without a wicket, while Prasidh Krishna ended with 1/53. Even the introduction of Rahul Tewatia as an Impact Sub for Kulwant Khejroliya could do little to stem the flow of runs. With a current run rate of 12.70, RCB’s 254/5 sets up a monumental, record-breaking chase for the Gujarat Titans in this thrilling Qualifier 1.

Also WATCH: Shubman Gill takes a stunning running catch to dismiss dangerous Venkatesh Iyer in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1

Here’s how fans reacted:

Captain fantastic Rajat Patidar just set Dharamshala on fire! 💥 A breathtaking 93 off 33 balls has powered RCB to a mammoth 254/5 in this high-stakes Qualifier 1. GT’s bowlers had absolutely no answers to this pure, unadulterated masterclass! 🚀🔥#RCBvsGT #RajatPatidar… pic.twitter.com/LCTspqwL6C

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 26, 2026

RAJAT PATIDAR IN IPL PLAYOFFS:

112* (54) in the Eliminator.
58 (42) in the Qualifier 2.
34 (22) in the Eliminator.
15* (8) in the Qualifier 1.
26 (16) in the Final.
93* (33) in the Qualifier 1.

CLUTCHMAN KNOWN AS RAJAT PATIDAR. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/csoVDJlEDV

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 26, 2026

Rajat Patidar is such a level-headed captain.

After Kohli and DDP fell early, RCB were in real danger of collapsing. But Patidar, along with Krunal, calmly weathered the storm and then unleashed at exactly the right time.

He is standing tall at one end, ensuring the target… pic.twitter.com/GtRCnEgT2r

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) May 26, 2026

Rajat Patidar will be playing T20i soon.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 26, 2026

Rajat Patidar appreciation post.

He played a slow knock when RCB needed to qualify for Top 2, knowing the team could collapse before 166 if they went to chase that score.

Today he is playing in beast mode again in qualifier vs GT

4 SRH fans were crying about why he didn’t go… pic.twitter.com/byIvW40igy

— ‘ (@viratkohli_un) May 26, 2026

TAKE A BOW, CAPTAIN RAJAT PATIDAR. 🙇

He smashed 93* runs from 33 balls including 5 fours and 9 sixes against Gujarat Titans in big Qualifier 1 match.

– What a magnificent Knock by Captain Rajat. 👏 pic.twitter.com/UUrdQrg8Iv

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 26, 2026

ABSOLUTE MADNESS BY CAPTAIN RAJAT PATIDAR IN DHARAMSHALA. 🔥

– Wait for Virat Kohli’s reaction. ❤️#RCBvsGT pic.twitter.com/ibdo9mGo3Y

— Nafees (@Nafees_22) May 26, 2026

Rajat Patidar with GT bowlers😭 pic.twitter.com/OWIUNZDk9U

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 26, 2026

Virat Kohli is in awe of Rajat Patidar’s batting 🥹❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/cgFFwqwPH7

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 26, 2026

– Rajat Patidar 21 balls fifty in Playoffs.
– Superb Six hitting of Patidar.
– Look at Virat Kohli reaction.

All are shocked to watch Rajat Patidar Six hitting 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/9f9OHU4qyI

— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) May 26, 2026

The second Rajat Patidar comes out to bat, the captain takes a back seat and the batter takes over. Calm mind, fearless intent, and absolute class at the crease #IPL2026

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 26, 2026

Also READ: Here’s how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have fared in the IPL playoffs