Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) rising speedster Rasikh Salam Dar produced a fine spell against the Gujarat Titans (GT). GT were restricted to 155-8 in 20 overs. Rasikh Salam Dar took a 3-wicket haul on a placid surface. GT’s Washington Sundar stood tall from the other end as GT’s top order crumbled under pressure.
GT off to a decent start
GT were asked to bat first on a belter of a wicket by RCB. Sai Sudharsan made his intentions very clear in the first over as he struck 2 fours against Jacob Duffy, it was quite surprising that Duffy was given a new ball as GT scored 13 in the opening over, as most of the time either Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Josh Hazlewood have taken a new ball.
The introduction of Josh Hazlewood in 3rd over broke the momentum of GT. Hazlewood cramped Gill (10 in 8) for room by bowling a hard length as GT skipper failed in playing a short arm jab shot as GT’s score was 22-1 in 2.2 overs as his decision to smash back-to-back boundaries cost him his wicket.
Sai Sudharsan (12 in 12) was undone by a bumper of a delivery by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 4th over as Jitesh Sharma took a running, breath-taking catch. All of a sudden, RCB’s score was 26-2 in 3.4 overs. Astoundingly, Nishant Sindhu was promoted at No.3 position ahead of Jos Buttler. Buttler & Nishant steadied the ship as GT scored 45-2 in 6 overs.
RCB bowlers peg GT in the middle overs
The pitch was quite two-paced & uneven, despite the fact that it was pitch no.6 of ICC ODI WC 2026 final, where India amassed 250+. Jos Buttler & Nishant made sure that they didn’t play a string of dot balls. In the 8th over, Nishant’s (20 in 18) attempt to clear long on was unsuccessful as Rasikh Salam Dar used pace off delivery to break the partnership of 29 runs in 26 balls as GT’s score was 55-3 in 8 overs.
Washington Sundar got a life when he was on 4 as Jordan Cox (*12th man) slightly misjudged the catch at deep fine leg as the ball touched the ground as at that time as third umpire changed the decision from out to not out; GT’s score was 63-3 in 10 overs. Rajat Patidar was fumed up with the decision.
Krunal Pandya bowled a pace on delivery and swindled Jos Buttler (19 in 23) in 13th over as he was stumped. GT’s score 73-4 in 12.1 overs. Arshad Khan got promoted ahead of Jason Holder & Rashid Khan as he made his intentions very clear. Arshda & Sundar took on Jacob Duffy in 14th over as GT’s score was 99-4 in 14 overs.
Washington Sundar’s blitz gives GT a ray of hope in the death overs
Josh Hazlewood broke the threatening partnership of Arshad & Sundar as Arshad (15 in 6) played an awkward pull shot. Rahul Tewatia wasn’t able to assert dominance from the start due to the uneven surface. The strategic time out was taken after the end of 16 overs as GT’s score was 115-5.
GT needed a strong finish. Rasikh Salam Dar provided the much-needed breakthrough in the 17th over as Tewatia wasn’t able to pick up the pace off delivery. Sundar was fighting the lone battle from the other end. Jason Holder also wasn’t able to create an impact with the bat. Sundar’s half-century in 37 balls helped GT get to 155-8. RCB’s bowlers hunted in a pack, Rasikh took 3 wickets & Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar took 2 wickets apiece.
Who’s winning, RCB or GT
156 is a below-par score we can say in the T20 final. All eyes will be on Siraj & Rabada, who have to take early wickets in powerplay overs. If RCB go unscathed, especially Virat Kohli, then RCB can defend the title most likely. RCB are red-hot favorites to win the match as it will require a herculean bowling effort from GT to win the title as RCB bat very deep.
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