Batting first, the Titans’ innings was immediately thrown into disarray as their formidable top order crumbled during a turbulent powerplay. Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler, te three key pillars of the GT batting lineup all fell cheaply. After that wickets kepts falling at regular intervals.
Washington Sundar emerged as the solitary beacon of resistance for Gujarat. He anchored the floundering innings with a gritty, unbeaten 50*, but the complete lack of sustained support from the other end meant the Titans never managed to impose themselves on the contest.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s disciplined effort was brilliantly spearheaded by Rasikh Salam, who dismantled the opposition with standout figures of 3/27 across his four overs. He was expertly supported by the veteran pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/37), who claimed two crucial wickets apiece.
RCB remained on top of the run chase right from the start, as they put on a 62-run opening stand. They lost a few quick wickets after that, but Virat Kohli ensured that the momentum did not go down.
Being the chase master that he is, he went on to bat throughout the innings, as he remained unbeaten on 75, guiding RCB to a massive title win. This was his fastest IPL fifty, and his first IPL playoff half-century after 10 years.
TOSS: RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Playing XIs
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar