Dharamsala: A rare and unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal of Sai Sudharsan turned the tide early as Gujarat Titans faltered against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Sudharsan became only the second player in IPL knockout history to be dismissed hit wicket, in what proved to be a crucial moment in the high-stakes clash. The incident occurred in the third over of the innings, bowled by Jacob Duffy.
Freak dismissal halts promising start
Sudharsan looked in fine touch and was building momentum when the unusual dismissal took place. Attempting a sharp cut shot, he timed the ball perfectly as it raced towards the boundary. However, in a freak turn of events, his bat slipped out of his hands during the shot and struck the stumps behind him.
The left-hander had already set off for a run before realising what had happened. By the time he turned back, the damage was done, cutting short his innings at 14 runs. The dismissal handed RCB an early breakthrough and shifted the momentum in their favour.
This rare mode of dismissal has been seen only sparingly in IPL history, especially during knockout matches. Previously, Kusal Mendis had suffered a similar fate in the 2025 season while playing for Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians.
RCB post record-breaking total
Earlier in the match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a batting masterclass, piling up a mammoth 254/5 — the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff or knockout game.
The innings was spearheaded by captain Rajat Patidar, who smashed a breathtaking 93 off just 33 balls. His aggressive approach set the tone for RCB’s dominance throughout the innings.
Veteran batter Virat Kohli contributed 43 runs, while Devdutt Padikkal added a quickfire 30. Krunal Pandya also played a crucial role with a composed yet impactful knock.
Explosive partnerships power innings
RCB’s innings began with an aggressive intent as Venkatesh Iyer and Kohli attacked from the outset. Iyer scored a brisk 19 before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada.
Padikkal then joined Kohli, and the duo ensured a strong powerplay, taking the score to 76/1. However, Jason Holder brought Gujarat Titans back into the contest briefly by removing both set batters in quick succession.
Patidar and Krunal Pandya then rebuilt the innings before launching a massive counterattack. The pair targeted Kulwant Khejroliya for a 28-run over and followed it up with an onslaught against Rashid Khan.
Late surge seals massive total
Despite losing Krunal Pandya to Rabada, Patidar continued his aggressive stroke play. He reached his half-century in just 21 balls and maintained the pressure on Gujarat’s bowlers.
Late cameos from Tim David and Jitesh Sharma ensured RCB finished strongly. The duo capitalised in the death overs, adding crucial runs to take the total beyond 250.
RCB’s innings included heavy scoring against bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who struggled to contain the flow of runs.
Conclusion
Sai Sudharsan’s unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal summed up Gujarat Titans’ night, where moments failed to go in their favour. In contrast, Royal Challengers Bengaluru executed their plans to perfection, both with the bat and ball.
With a record-breaking total and early breakthroughs, RCB firmly seized control of the match. As the tournament progresses, such fine margins and rare incidents continue to highlight the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.