RCB chase 206 as Kohli and Padikkal stun GT

Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets with 7 balls remaining in Match 34 of the Indian Premier League, with Virat Kohli producing a superb 81 off 44 balls to anchor a chase of 206. Devdutt Padikkal’s 55 off 27 and Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 100 off 58 turned it into one of the season’s most explosive contests.

This was another significant result in a rapidly moving IPL campaign. RCB had already won four matches before this one in the tournament schedule, including victories in Match 1, Match 11, Match 20 and Match 23, and this latest success keeps their momentum strong as the league phase moves deeper into its middle stretch. For Gujarat Titans, who had earlier won Matches 14, 19 and 25, it was a damaging defeat despite posting 205 for 3.

With this being Match 34 of 70, the result extends the league narrative rather than deciding anything outright, but it does strengthen RCB’s position in the race as the remaining fixtures continue. The next match in the tournament is Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings on Saturday, April 25, followed later that day by Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad. For these two sides, Gujarat Titans next face Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, April 26, while RCB meet Delhi Capitals on Monday, April 27, before the return fixture between GT and RCB on Thursday, April 30.

Gujarat Titans post 205 for 3

GT’s innings was built around a commanding century from Sai Sudharsan, who made 100 from 58 balls with 11 fours and five sixes. He controlled the tempo through the middle overs and then accelerated hard at the back end, ensuring the innings never stalled for long. Shubman Gill gave the start shape with 32 off 24, striking two fours and a six, while Jos Buttler added 25 off 16 to keep the scoring rate healthy.

Even when RCB found occasional breakthroughs, GT kept finding another gear. Washington Sundar struck 19 off 12 and Jason Holder crashed an unbeaten 23 off just 10 balls, with one four and two sixes, to push the total beyond 200. That late finishing burst was important, especially in a match where both attacks were put under immense pressure.

For RCB, the wickets were shared rather than seized in clusters. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned 1 for 31 from four overs, Josh Hazlewood took 1 for 40 from four, and Suyash Sharma claimed 1 for 36 from four. On a night dominated by bat, Bhuvneshwar’s economy of 7.75 stood out as the most controlled spell from the home attack.

Kohli and Padikkal flip the chase

Chasing 206 in a T20 match requires both tempo and nerve, and RCB found both in abundance. Jacob Bethell set the tone with 14 off 10, but the chase truly caught fire when Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal came together. Kohli’s 81 off 44 balls was a classic modern T20 innings: eight fours, four sixes, and relentless command over the chase equation. He kept the required rate in check while still forcing GT onto the defensive.

Padikkal’s contribution was equally damaging. His 55 from just 27 balls, featuring two fours and six sixes, changed the mood of the contest and the field settings around it. The pair’s partnership was the match-turning phase, taking RCB from early buildup into full control and ensuring the asking rate never spiralled. When Rajat Patidar struck 8 off 5 and Jitesh Sharma added 10 off 6, RCB continued to score with intent rather than slipping into caution.

GT did create some late uncertainty. Rashid Khan picked up 2 for 49 in four overs, Jason Holder claimed 1 for 35 in 3.5 overs, Mohammed Siraj took 1 for 25 in three, and Manav Suthar returned 1 for 19 in two overs. But the target had already been forced into reach. Tim David’s 10 off 9 and Krunal Pandya’s unbeaten 23 off 12, with three fours and a six, completed the job at 206 for 5 in 18.5 overs.

Key performers

Virat Kohli, RCB: 81 off 44 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate 184.1. A high-class chase-defining innings and a deserved Player of the Match effort.

Devdutt Padikkal, RCB: 55 off 27 balls, 2 fours, 6 sixes, strike rate 203.7. His assault through the middle overs transformed the required rate.

Sai Sudharsan, GT: 100 off 58 balls, 11 fours, 5 sixes, strike rate 172.4. A magnificent century that would have won many matches.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB: 1 for 31 in 4 overs. The tidiest spell among RCB’s bowlers on a night of heavy scoring.

NerdSports Stat: Gujarat Titans made 205 for 3 and still lost with 7 balls remaining — a rare combination that underlines just how far ahead of the asking rate RCB stayed once Kohli and Padikkal launched their counterattack.

What this means

RCB’s chase was one of their most emphatic statements of the season because it came against a GT batting unit powered by two of the tournament’s form players. Shubman Gill came into the match with 407 runs in 9 matches, Sai Sudharsan had 385 in 10, and Virat Kohli had 399 in 10. Kohli’s latest 81 was another reminder that he remains central to RCB’s push through the league stage, while GT will take some comfort from Sudharsan’s century even in defeat.

The IPL league phase still has plenty left to unfold, and this result extends that wider race rather than settling it. But on the evidence of this chase, RCB look increasingly dangerous when their top order clicks and their finishers are left with manageable work.

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