It was another outstanding performance of RCB’s bowling unit in the IPL 2026 final. RCB’s new ball specialists paced the major game of the season once again in the most crucial moments which helped the franchise create a new track record in IPL history.
Bengaluru repaid the challenge from Gujarat Titans in the title clash at Ahmedabad, and did it twice in the Powerplay to cleanse the dangerous pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. RCB took their tally of powerplay wickets to a new high this season with those early wickets, highlighting the effect of their pace attack throughout the tournament.
The departures came as key ones as Gill and Sudharsan had been two of the most successful opening pair of the IPL 2026. The duo always got nice beginnings for Gujarat and were definitely a significant part of their way to the final. But on the grandest stage, RCB’s bowlers got the trick down.
Josh Hazlewood got the first blood when he dismissed Gujarat’s captain Gill. The Australian quick was hit for a boundary, but then adjusted his length and picked up more bounce off the surface. Gill was driven for a catch as a counter-attack but could only manage an attack that gave them an early lead.
Later, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also brought on. The veteran pacer played some cunning variations and change of pace to force Sai Sudharsan into an error. RCB continued to build their lead in the game, as Rahane started to control the match and put Gujarat under pressure in the first six overs.
The Titans suffered the early defeats, and it cost them. Gujarat tried to bounce back from the blow by the Bengaluru pace-bowlers and did not seek to develop their strength around their opening pair. The middle order found it difficult to make any headway and the regular wickets put an end to any attack later in the game.
On the other hand Gujarat registered a poor performance with a total of 155 runs off 8 wickets. The score was competitive, but it was much lower than the score that was becoming more common in the later stages of IPL 2026.
The performance was yet another example of the disciplined approach RCB had taken in the season so far and not just deployed in batting fireworks. The way they knocked off the opposition so many times throughout the tournament, you’d have thought they’ll do the same in the final.You’d think they would do it again in the final but they did it over and over again throughout the tournament.
A manageable target was out there, Bengaluru got a step closer to securing another IPL title and their credentials as one of the most complete teams of the season became even stronger.