After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of MI in Ahmedabad, GT came to Bengaluru hoping to upstage defending champions RCB. They had a good record in Bengaluru, winning 2 out of their 3 games before this clash. The Titans had their moments, but fell short again in the final hurdle as RCB chased down 200+ to win by 5 wickets with 7 balls to spare. GT had their moments through Sai Sudharsan’s ton and others bowling well, but they could not deliver the knockout blow. There are reasons for their loss, and we will analyse them for you here.
Losing steam post Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal left a few runs short for GTÂ
GT were asked to bat first by RCB. After a sedate first 3 overs, GT turned it on as it was the Sai Sudharsan show. The southpaw, who was short of runs coming to this game, stepped up when it mattered the most and scored a glorious hundred. The others who were there with him supported him from the other end. Captain Shubman Gill played the perfect role of an anchor player and someone who plays second fiddle as he made 32 off 24 balls in a 128-run opening stand inside 13 overs.
Thereafter, Jos Buttler came in and got a start as well, but did not match Sai’s fluent innings. GT did everything right with the bat, but one thing they lacked was finishing the innings well. Many teams are struggling to finish innings. GT has limited resources, and with the focus on the top three, the others are being neglected. After Sai fell for exactly 100, GT were already 160/2 in 15.3 overs. With wickets in hand, they should have pushed and posted 220-230 as they had ample wickets in hand to go big.
But post Sai, no one showed intent and took the attack to the opposition. Yes, Jason Holder played a cameo towards the end, which helped them post 200 +. But in the middle, Washington Sundar was steady and not power-packed with the bat in hand. With so many wickets in the shed, GT should have targeted scoring 220 at least, and that would have been challenging for RCB. But they decelerated and paid the price of leaving out 20-30 runs out in the field as RCB chased down with ease.
When one has resources, then he has to take advantage of them. GT settled for 205 despite losing only 3 wickets, and that came back to haunt them. They will need to get their finishing act right as soon as possible before it gets a bit too late in the tournament. Overdependence on the top 3 is visible in the GT camp.
Dropped catch of Virat Kohli on 0 by Washington Sundar costs GT the game
Tasked with chasing 206 for the win, Impact Player Jacob Bethell came out to bat alongside Virat Kohli. RCB needed a solid start in the power play, while GT needed early wickets. Bethell took an early strike and got off the mark. Then came the turning point of the match. Siraj had the ball in hand, and Kohli was on strike, batting on 0 and facing his first ball of the innings. The first ball Kohli faced, he looked to flick it away and hit it uppishly to short midwicket, where Washington Sundar, stationed there, dropped the catch.
This was heartbreaking for GT as their plan almost worked with the bowler executing his plan, but the fielder misjudged it and dropped a sitter as Washington Sundar was the culprit. That was the lucky break Virat needed to shine and deliver on the big night. On Sachin Tendulkar’s 53rd birthday, Virat played it sensibly and then took the attack to the opposition in the power play. He dominated that phase while Devdutt Padikkal got into the act as well with a big 115-run stand.
Catches win matches is an old phrase. And if you give a champion player like Kohli a lifeline, the chances are that he will punish you and not give another chance. Kohli did that and was like a man possessed, adding 81 runs since that dropped catch. The others revolved around him as GT knew the game was gone. Kohli got out, but the team went onto winning the game. GT needs to be more game-aware next time and seize these moments. Who knows, if Kohli had got out early, RCB may have collapsed. But that was not to be in the end.
GT’s bowling stocks are exposed for the second game in a row
GT’s bowling unit is not clicking as a unit. Yes, an individual might have a good day, but as a whole package, they did not click, and that’s why a target of 206 was chased down with more than an over to spare. In the game against MI, Kagiso Rabada picked up 3 wickets as MI were struggling till 14 overs. But then GT lost the plot in the death overs and conceded 96 runs in back 6 overs to almost concede 200 runs on a wicket that was challenging for the batters.
Coming to last night’s game, yes, we can say GT were a few runs short. But 205 is a good score, and if bowled well, can be defended. But GT’s bowlers flattered to deceive and did not click as a unit at all. The famed bowling attack went the distance as they could not defend that score of 205 and lost the game in 18.5 overs. Individuals might be doing well, but as a whole not enough pressure.
Kagiso Rabada had an off-day last night, marking an inconsistency in performances. Jason Holder was taken to the cleaners mainly by Kohli towards the end. Prasidh Krishna made an immediate impact for the opposition as he went for 31 in 2 overs. Rashid Khan went for 49 runs in 4 overs despite picking up 2 wickets. Manav Suthar bowled 2 overs, 1/19. So many bowlers having an off-day does not help. The pitch might have been a belter, but it was for both sides. GT’s strong suit is their bowling; they need to sort it out sooner rather than later.
They cannot let their strong suit become a weak link. They will be hoping they get their act together before their next game against CSK on Sunday afternoon. That’s a crucial clash now for both sides.
What Lies Ahead
So, RCB, with this win, have climbed to 2nd in the points table with 10 points from 7 games, while GT stays in 7th place for now with 3 wins in 7 games. GT next faces CSK on Sunday afternoon in what will be a crucial clash for both teams, with their record showing 3 wins in 7 games. CSK is in 5th place due to better NRR. RCB has a break before they play three back-to-back away games. Super Saturday has a double header tonight.
First up, it’s the Northern Derby as DC hosts undefeated PBKS in New Delhi at 3:30 PM IST. This will be followed by RR hosting for the first time in Jaipur this season against SRH, who are set to welcome back their regular skipper Pat Cummins. This match is set to start at 7:30 PM IST. So, a lot to look forward to over the weekend in IPL 2026.
Also Read: RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli’s Masterclass Powers RCB To 2nd In Points Table