IPL 2026 Final: RCB Pacers Shine as Gujarat Titans Manage 155/8 Despite Washington Sundar’s Heroics

Ahmedabad, May 2026 : A disciplined and clinical bowling performance from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) restricted Gujarat Titans (GT) to 155/8 in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a modest target of 156 to clinch back-to-back titles.

RCB’s pace attack set the tone early and never allowed the Titans’ powerful batting line-up to settle. While Gujarat struggled for momentum throughout the innings, an unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar helped the hosts post a respectable total after a top-order collapse.

The standout performer with the ball was Rasikh Salam Dar, who delivered his best spell of the season, claiming 3 wickets for 27 runs. He received excellent support from experienced pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who struck crucial blows during the Powerplay.

Asked to bat first after RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to field, Gujarat Titans endured a difficult start. Hazlewood drew first blood by dismissing captain Shubman Gill for 10. Attempting a pull shot off a short delivery, Gill failed to get proper control and was caught by Patidar at mid-off.

The Titans suffered another setback soon after when in-form opener Sai Sudharsan fell for 12. Bhuvneshwar Kumar forced a top edge with a sharp bouncer, and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma completed the catch behind the stumps.

With two early wickets lost, Gujarat turned to Jos Buttler and Nishant Sindhu to rebuild the innings. However, RCB’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, making scoring difficult. The pressure steadily mounted as boundaries dried up and Gujarat struggled to accelerate.

Sindhu attempted to break the shackles but fell for 20 when he tried to attack Rasikh Salam Dar and was caught at long-on. The wicket further deepened Gujarat’s troubles.

Washington Sundar then emerged as the lone bright spot for the Titans. He enjoyed an early stroke of luck when a catch taken by Jordan Cox was ruled not out after replays showed the ball had touched the ground. Given a second chance while on four, Sundar made RCB pay by anchoring the innings with maturity and composure.

Meanwhile, Buttler found it difficult to rotate the strike against RCB’s disciplined attack. Frustrated by the mounting dot balls, he advanced down the pitch against Krunal Pandya but was beaten by a wide yorker and stumped smartly by Jitesh Sharma.

The scoring rate remained sluggish as Gujarat searched for momentum. Arshad Khan briefly lifted the spirits of the home crowd by smashing the first six of the innings in the 13th over, ending a lengthy boundary drought. The delayed maximum also marked the longest wait for a team’s first six in an IPL innings during the 2026 season.

Arshad and Sundar added a few valuable runs before Hazlewood struck again, forcing Arshad into a mistimed pull shot that was comfortably caught. Soon after, Rahul Tewatia departed when he miscued a lofted stroke off Rasikh Salam Dar and handed a simple catch to mid-on.

RCB continued to dominate as Bhuvneshwar removed Jason Holder, leaving Gujarat in danger of posting a below-par score. However, Sundar remained calm under pressure and found boundaries at regular intervals, steering the innings through the closing overs.

The all-rounder reached a well-deserved half-century off 37 deliveries, striking five boundaries in an unbeaten knock that provided much-needed stability. A towering six from Rashid Khan in the final overs helped Gujarat cross the 150-run mark, though he was dismissed on the very next delivery while attempting another big hit.

By the end of the innings, Gujarat Titans had posted 155/8 in their 20 overs—a total identical to the one they had successfully defended against RCB at the same venue during the league stage. However, under the pressure of a high-profile final and against a formidable batting line-up led by Virat Kohli, the target appeared slightly below par.

Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3/27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/29) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Team Maverick.