defending champion Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) achieved a comfortable five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 34 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, April 24. The win now takes them to second place in the standings and just one point behind table toppers, Punjab Kings.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and bowled. GT Batting in the first innings, the visitors posted a competitive score of 205 runs on the board. Opener Sai Sudarshan was the best batsman, scoring 100 off just 58 balls to return to form after some lackluster performances.
However, the hosts were never in trouble and achieved the target with seven balls to spare. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal added 115 runs for the second wicket to form a strong pillar in the run chase, with Krunal Pandya completing the job till the end.
talking points:
1. Sai Sudarshan's welcome return to form
Sai Sudarshan was the Orange Cap winner in the IPL last year, scoring 759 runs at an average of close to 55. However, the left-handed batsman did not have the best start in this year's tournament. Sudarshan had only one half-century to his name before today. Against the defending champions, Sudarshan scored 100 off 58 balls at a strike-rate of 172.41. The century meant a lot for the 24-year-old and he celebrated aggressively after completing the century at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
2. Padikkal 2.0 continues to enthrall the Bengaluru crowd
Devdutt Padikkal has made the number three spot his own this season and has proved it with another brilliant innings. He scored his half-century in just 20 balls, which is his fastest half-century in the IPL. He scored 55 runs in 27 balls with the help of two fours and six sixes. He had a few bad games in the last few weeks, but found his rhythm once again to score his third half-century in five matches at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
3. Virat Kohli was unlucky not to reach triple figures
Virat Kohli recorded his highest score in this year's IPL by scoring 81 runs in just 44 balls at a strike rate of 184. However, the right-handed batsman was extremely unlucky not to reach his century. He got a lease of life due to a missed catch in the first over, but he took full advantage of it. He hit two sixes off Jason Holder, but pulled a slower ball onto the stumps and missed a century.
who said what
Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans captain:
“Yeah, definitely, I think, from 16 to 19 overs, in those three overs, we couldn't hit any boundaries and we didn't score as many runs as we wanted to. I think those three overs were very important for us. I mean, at the end of the powerplay, I think we were in a good position. It was all about taking wickets in the middle overs, which I think we weren't able to do once the powerplay was over. (On Kohli being out for 0) I mean, when a batsman gets dropped or not, it's always tough for the fielder, but I think it's important how you come back into the game, I think we had our moments, but I don't think we were able to hit the length ball consistently, which is sometimes difficult to hit on this wicket. And you know, there were a few balls here and there, and I think they did brilliantly in the middle overs. When we were batting, the balls that Krunal bowled were a bit grippy. So, we thought if we take a few wickets in this over, maybe we can get back in the game. I mean, he was quite disappointing in the last few matches, but I think in the next match, he will give me a little more strike.
Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain:
“Yes, I think it was a tough match, but there is a lot to learn from this game. But if I start, the way we started our bowling, first of all, I think the way Bhuvi and Hazlewood bowled in the areas, I think that was very good. And after that, I think the way we came on, I think Suyyash bowled very well. And in the death, Rasikh and Bhuvi and Hazlewood bowled the yorkers, I think it was good. (On restricting GT in the back-end) Yes, I think we targeted them under 200, around 200, but I think, yes, as I said, the way we bowled the yorkers, it was quite good. And that's why we restricted them to 200. It's great to see the way Bethel and Vicky Bhaiya started, but I think in the middle overs, we lost a few wickets, so yes, let's go back and try to improve on the mistakes we made in this match..
Virat Kohli, Player of the Match
“We had to assess the conditions early on. We were only one partnership away. We wanted to try and analyse. Padikkal has done that twice this season. To be honest, it's quite rare. His innings was the clear difference. I was trying to stay in the game. That partnership was a game changer. Our bowlers did a fantastic job. The spinners were not able to hold on. Once you get a grip on the conditions, they back themselves. The message was very clear. We had to go for it. We have guys who can do the damage. This combination gives us a lot of confidence, it's been great to play at home.”
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