Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar conceded that his team’s batting “fell short” after a four-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans in Match 42 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
RCB posted 155 in 19.2 overs after being put in to bat, but a middle-order collapse proved costly as Gujarat Titans chased down the target in 15.5 overs.
Middle-order collapse proves decisive
RCB started on a steady note, with Virat Kohli scoring a brisk 28 and Devdutt Padikkal top-scoring with 40. However, the innings lost momentum during the middle overs as wickets fell in quick succession.
Reflecting on the performance, Patidar admitted that the total was below par.
“I think the score was not good enough, but the way we bowled and stretched it to 15–16 overs, I think that’s a positive sign for us,” he said after the match.
The skipper highlighted that losing wickets in clusters prevented RCB from building a competitive total, a factor that ultimately tilted the game in GT’s favour.
Gill’s powerplay blitz puts RCB under pressure
In response, Gujarat Titans got off to a flying start, led by captain Shubman Gill, who smashed 43 off just 18 balls during the powerplay.
Patidar acknowledged that Gill’s aggressive approach early in the innings created significant pressure on the RCB bowlers.
“There was a good cover of grass on the surface that helped fast bowlers. And the way Shubman played in the powerplay, he put the pressure on us,” he noted.
Despite the early onslaught, RCB managed to pull things back briefly by picking up wickets in the middle overs.
Bhuvneshwar leads bowling fightback
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout performer with the ball for RCB, claiming three crucial wickets to keep the contest alive.
Patidar praised his experience and control, especially in the initial phase of the innings.
“As we all know, he’s an experienced bowler in the T20 format, and the way he bowled in the first half was incredible,” the skipper said.
However, contributions from Jos Buttler (39) and Rahul Tewatia (27 not out) ensured that Gujarat Titans completed the chase comfortably.
GT bowlers restrict RCB effectively
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Titans bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to limit RCB to a modest total.
Arshad Khan starred with figures of 3/22, while Rashid Khan and Jason Holder picked up two wickets each.
Their combined effort ensured that RCB never gained full control of the innings.
‘Long way to go’ in the tournament
Despite the defeat, Patidar emphasised that the team is not overly concerned about its position in the points table at this stage of the tournament.
“It’s a long way to go, and we’ll take it one game at a time. There’s bound to be hiccups. We are not looking at the table; we aim to play good cricket,” he said.
His remarks reflect a measured approach as RCB looks to bounce back in the remaining matches of the league stage.
Conclusion
RCB’s defeat against Gujarat Titans highlighted the importance of middle-order stability in T20 cricket. While the bowlers showed resilience, the batting unit’s inability to capitalise on a steady start proved decisive.
With the tournament entering a crucial phase, RCB will need to address these inconsistencies quickly to stay competitive in the race for the playoffs.