RCB Storm into IPL Final as Rajat Patidar’s Blitz, Pacers Crush GT by 92 Runs

Magnificent bowling from pacers and a sensational knock from skipper Rajat Patidar helped defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cruise to their second successive Indian Premier League (IPL) final, beating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs at Dharamsala on Tuesday.

With this win, RCB will be taking a shot at their second successive IPL title. GT, despite their loss, will get a chance at redemption as they will play the winner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Gujarat Titans (GT) eliminator for the second final spot in the Qualifier two on Friday.

RCB put on 254/5 on the back of fiery performances from skipper Rajat Patidar (93* in 33 balls, with five fours and nine sixes), Virat Kohli (43 in 25 balls, with five fours and a six) and Krunal Pandya (43 in 28 balls, with five fours and two sixes).

"It was a super game for us. The way everyone was striking, it was good for us. You have to show body language, that was there for every batter. Big stage, the way we dominated it was superb," Patidar said after winning the game.

In the chase, GT's batting fell like a pack of cards, with Rahul Tewatia (68 in 43 balls, with eight fours and four sixes) and Jos Buttler (29 in 11 balls, with three fours and two sixes) being the only ones crossing 20-run mark as GT skittled out for 162 runs.

Jacob Duffy (3/39) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28) broke through GT's consistent top-order and it was only downwards for the Titans from there.

During the run-chase, GT opener Sai Sudharsan started off with two fours on first two balls of the innings against Jacob Duffy.

Just when Sudharsan looked good enough for a big knock, he got out in an unlucky way, with the bat slipping out of his hands as he started running after playing his shot. GT was 17/1 in 2.3 overs.

Jos Buttler started off with a bang, dispatching Duffy for a four and six, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar rattled Bhuvneshwar Kumar's stumps for two in seven balls to deliver another big blow. GT was 27/2 in 3.1 overs.

Nishant Sindhu and Buttler attempted a counter-attack, with Buttler smashing Josh Hazlewood for four, six and four, bringing the 50-run mark in 4.4 overs. The bowler ended up with the last laugh, cleaning up Buttler for 11-ball 29 (with three sixes and two sixes). GT was 51/3 in 4.5 overs.

Rasikh Salam Dar gave GT two more jolts, removing Sindhu (5) and Jason Holder (0), ending GT's powerplay at 51/5 in six overs.

Duffy got his second wicket, perhaps ending GT's hopes with fall of Washington Sundar for a run-a-ball eight. GT sunk to 65/6 in 8.2 overs.

GT's downfall continued as Rashid was became Duffy's third victim for eight runs, while Krunal Pandya removed Kagiso Rabada for nine. GT was 88/8 in 11.2 overs.

Rahul Tewatia and Mohammed Siraj took GT past the 100-run mark in 12.2 overs, with the only positive of the match for GT being Tewatia getting some batting practice and reaching a fifty in 33 balls, with six fours and three sixes.

Bhuvneshwar finally got rid off Tewatia for a 43-ball 68, with a fine catch from skipper Patidar. Tewatia's knock had eight fours and four sixes, with GT sinking to 156/9 in 18.1 overs.

Duffy (3/39) was the leading wicket-taker, while Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh and Krunal got two each. Hazlewood also managed a wicket.

Earlier, a blistering knock from Rajat Patidar, backed by crucial contributions from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Krunal Pandya, powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League at Dharamsala on Tuesday.

(With inputs from ANI)