RCB chase 206 as Kohli, Padikkal dominate GT

Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down a daunting total at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Kohli, Padikkal fifties driving them to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans. The hosts overhauled 205 with seven balls to spare, making Sai Sudharsan’s century a losing effort.

Gujarat Titans posted 205 for 3 after being put in by Rajat Patidar, but their innings never fully broke free at the death. RCB responded with 206 for 5, led by Virat Kohli’s 81 off 44 balls and Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive 55 off 27.

Sudharsan anchors but GT fall short at the death

Sai Sudharsan paced his innings carefully on what he described as a two-paced surface early on. He moved from 17 off 16 to 41 off 27 as he found fluency, while Shubman Gill struggled for strike during the powerplay, which ended at 57 without loss.

After the field spread, Sudharsan expanded his range, scooping, cutting and slog-sweeping his way to a century off 57 balls. He also became the fastest to 2000 IPL runs, reaching the milestone in 47 innings, surpassing Chris Gayle’s record.

Despite a 128-run stand with Gill, who made 32 off 24, Gujarat Titans could not accelerate late. From 170 for 2 after 16 overs, they managed only 35 runs in the last four overs, a slowdown that proved decisive.

Kohli and Padikkal take control of the chase

The chase turned sharply in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s favour during the second wicket stand. Kohli, dropped on zero, quickly settled into rhythm, while Padikkal attacked from the outset, including a first-ball six off Kagiso Rabada.

Padikkal raced to a 20-ball fifty, taking on both pace and spin, while Kohli kept the innings anchored. Together, they added 115 in 9.5 overs, dismantling Gujarat Titans’ bowling plans and bringing the required rate firmly under control.

Even Rashid Khan, usually reliable in the middle overs, was put under pressure, conceding boundaries to both batters. Padikkal was eventually bowled by a googly, and Kohli fell after striking consecutive sixes, but the damage had already been done.

Late wobble but Krunal seals it

Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma in quick succession, leaving them needing 31 from four overs with five wickets down. The chase briefly tightened, but Krunal Pandya ensured there were no further alarms.

He counterattacked with two fours and a six off Manav Suthar, reducing the equation to seven off 12. In the next over, Krunal finished the job with a controlled boundary, completing the chase with composure.

What this result means

The match was defined by the contrasting middle and death phases. Gujarat Titans built a strong platform but failed to accelerate late, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru maximised their momentum through the Kohli-Padikkal partnership.

That 115-run stand effectively decided the contest, ensuring that even a brief late stumble did not derail the chase, and turning Sudharsan’s century into a secondary storyline in a high-scoring encounter.

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