Jitesh Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be without captain Rajat Patidar for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings. Jitesh Sharma will lead the side in Patidar's absence, who missed travel and practice due to an undisclosed reason. Patidar is expected to return for RCB's final league game.

In a pivotal IPL 2026 final moment, Krunal Pandya's astute bowling dismissed Jos Buttler, earning praise from Sachin Tendulkar. Pandya's clever delivery, anticipating Buttler's charge, proved crucial as Gujarat Titans faltered. This breakthrough, despite other bowlers' success, significantly impacted GT's struggle to post a competitive total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar equalled Mohammed Shami's record of 17 powerplay wickets in a single IPL season during the IPL 2026 final. His crucial dismissal of Sai Sudharsan helped RCB put Gujarat Titans under pressure early in the match. This achievement further solidifies Bhuvneshwar's impact this season and places him in contention for the Purple Cap.

Star batter Virat Kohli's electrifying celebrations were a highlight in the IPL 2026 final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru dominated Gujarat Titans early. Kohli's animated reactions to the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, courtesy of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar respectively, showcased RCB's aggressive intent from the outset in Ahmedabad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru opted to bowl first in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans. Skipper Rajat Patidar backed his team's strong chasing record on a batting-friendly pitch. Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill also admitted he would have batted first, highlighting the toss's favorable outcome for both sides. One change sees Arshad Khan replace Sai Kishore for GT.

Punjab Kings opted to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala, with Jitesh Sharma captaining RCB in Rajat Patidar's absence. Shreyas Iyer marked his 100th captaincy game for PBKS. Both teams made changes, aiming for crucial playoff implications. RCB seeks to secure a playoff spot, while PBKS desperately needs a win to revive their qualification hopes.

Kagiso Rabada has set a new IPL record for the most wickets in the Powerplay in a single season, surpassing Mohammed Shami's previous record. This achievement came during Gujarat Titans' Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The winner of this high-stakes encounter will advance directly to the IPL final.

Rasikh Salam Dar's fiery yorker dismantled Travis Head's stumps, igniting a passionate celebration from the young pacer and a pumped-up Virat Kohli. Head's aggressive 26 off 16 balls ended abruptly, giving RCB a crucial breakthrough. Defending champions RCB, already playoff-bound in IPL 2026, faced Sunrisers Hyderabad in a key clash.

Gujarat Titans will bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. The winner directly enters the final. Gujarat Titans made one change to their team. Royal Challengers Bengaluru also made changes for the knockout clash. Both teams aim for a strong performance to secure a spot in the final.

Gujarat Titans face a challenging route to the final, relying on their top order after a mixed start. Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter comfortably, boasting an explosive batting unit. Both teams seek a second IPL crown at a venue holding historic significance for each franchise.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has transformed from underachievers to a formidable franchise, culminating in their maiden IPL title. This success, following the women's WPL victory, reclaims the 'Ee sala cup namde' slogan. A strategic shift under Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, focusing on balance over star power, built a winning culture and squad, with Virat Kohli remaining a pivotal figure.

RCB's pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar exploited hard lengths to perfection, sharing seven wickets and dismantling the Gujarat Titans' batting line-up before restricting them to 155 for 8. For GT, Washington Sundar's 50 not out was the top score.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 for a direct spot in the IPL 2026 final, which will be held in Ahmedabad. RCB captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged the challenging conditions for bowlers this season, with even 200-plus scores not guaranteeing safety. He emphasized the team's focus on execution and staying calm under pressure.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans face off in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, with a direct final spot at stake. Both teams finished level on points and have identical 4-4 head-to-head records. RCB rely on batting depth, while GT bank on their top-order stars and bowling attack. Key battles include Bhuvneshwar Kumar against GT’s top three and Rashid Khan’s middle-over impact.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL 2026 playoff clash. Both teams have already secured their playoff berths. Cummins expressed a desire to test strategies and enjoy the game before the serious business of the finals begins. Rajat Patidar returns to captain RCB.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are without captain Rajat Patidar for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, with Jitesh Sharma leading the side. Patidar is recovering well and is expected to return for the next match in Hyderabad. RCB currently sits atop the IPL 2026 points table.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ishan Kishan have etched their names in IPL history, becoming the second trio to score over 500 runs each in a season. This remarkable batting feat fuels SRH's strong IPL 2026 campaign as they aim for a top-two finish.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans. Star batter Virat Kohli expressed his joy and pride in the team's historic achievement. He highlighted the collective effort and the squad's depth throughout the season. Kohli also spoke about adapting his game and the confidence the team gained.

From being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to returning as a mid-season replacement and eventually leading the franchise to its maiden IPL title, Rajat Patidar's journey has been one of persistence and patience. Built on calmness rather than flamboyance, the 32-year-old has grown into a composed leader who now stands two wins away from joining an elite list of IPL captains with back-to-back titles.

RCB's back-to-back IPL titles were built on more than performances on the field. From Andy Flower and Mo Bobat to Dinesh Karthik, Malolan Rangarajan and Omkar Salvi, a formidable backroom team laid the foundations for the franchise's sustained success.