Gujarat Titans completed a composed chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, with Rahul Tewatia helping finish off the target after Arshad Khan’s three-wicket spell restricted RCB to 155. It was a strong all-round performance from GT, who kept control of the game despite a brisk start from the Bengaluru top order.
Rahul Tewatia celebrates after guiding Gujarat Titans to victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad, following Arshad Khan’s three-wicket haul.
Gujarat Titans produced a solid team performance to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Arshad Khan’s three-wicket haul helped GT keep RCB down to 155, and Rahul Tewatia then played the decisive role in the chase as the home side sealed the result.
The match had the feel of a classic IPL evening: a steady start, a middle-overs squeeze, a few momentum swings, and then a late chase completed with calm finishing. RCB were competitive early on, but GT’s bowlers tightened the screws and their lower order batters made sure the chase did not slip away.
How GT Took Control
RCB began with promise, and the top order looked capable of building a respectable total. But once Gujarat Titans introduced pressure through disciplined bowling, the innings started to unravel. Arshad Khan was the standout, taking three wickets for 22 runs from 3.2 overs and breaking the rhythm of Bengaluru’s batting line-up. The Sportstar has covered the full story.
His key strikes included Rajat Patidar, who was dismissed after looking set, and the wickets kept falling at regular intervals after RCB had reached 59/2 in the powerplay. Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, and others supported him well, making sure that Bengaluru never got the late acceleration they needed to push beyond 160.
Why RCB Fell Short
RCB’s total of 155 looked below par once they lost momentum in the middle overs. The innings had enough batting talent on paper, but the failure to build partnerships after the powerplay was costly. When a side starts well and then loses wickets steadily, it often ends up with a score that feels 20-30 runs short of par on a good batting surface.
Arshad’s three wickets were the headline, but the overall GT bowling effort mattered just as much. Restricting a team like RCB to 155 in the IPL is a clear sign of control, and it gave Gujarat’s batters a manageable chase instead of a pressure cooker.
Tewatia’s Finishing Touch
Rahul Tewatia once again showed why he remains one of the most trusted finishers in Indian T20 cricket. Coming in during a tense phase of the chase, he played with clarity and calm, finding boundaries when GT needed them most.
The live updates show GT were 122/5 in 11 overs, which meant the match was still alive for RCB. But Tewatia’s presence changed the tone of the chase, allowing Gujarat Titans to keep the scoreboard moving and prevent a collapse. In tight IPL games, that kind of finishing skill is gold.
Key Turning Points
The match had several moments that shaped the final outcome. Arshad Khan’s breakthrough spell was the first major turning point because it stopped RCB from converting a promising start into a big total. Jason Holder’s sharp wicket of Jitesh Sharma later deepened the pressure on Bengaluru.
Another crucial point was the fielding and review pressure that GT maintained. Even when RCB looked to recover, Gujarat kept taking wickets and slowing the batting side’s momentum. Once the target stayed within reach, Tewatia and the lower middle order ensured the chase never became chaotic.
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Background And Context
This result is important because both Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain major IPL brands with strong fan bases and playoff ambitions. Matches between these sides often carry added interest because they feature high-profile Indian players, overseas finishers, and strong bowling attacks.
The game also came at a time when RCB were chasing a third straight win, which would have taken them to the top of the points table. Instead, GT’s disciplined performance ensured that the visitors left Ahmedabad with a setback that could matter later in the playoff race.
Timeline
RCB won a promising start but lost momentum in the middle overs.
Arshad Khan struck regularly and finished with three wickets.
RCB were restricted to 155 in 19.2 overs.
GT began their chase with pressure but stayed within reach.
Rahul Tewatia anchored the finish as Gujarat Titans completed the win.
Why This Matters
This matters because IPL success is often built on these kinds of balanced team performances. A side that can bowl well enough to hold a strong batting unit to 155 and then finish the chase under pressure usually looks playoff-ready.
It also matters for RCB fans because the team’s batting depth alone could not save them here. In a tournament where margins are so small, one collapse or one failed partnership can undo a whole night of good work. Yeh issue kaafi important hai because it shows that modern T20 cricket is not just about starts; it is about sustained control.
India Angle
For Indian cricket fans, this match had several local storylines to follow: Arshad Khan’s rise, Tewatia’s finishing reputation, and the continuing pressure on RCB to turn talent into consistent results. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad also remains one of the biggest stages in Indian cricket, so the result naturally draws national attention.
Indian audiences know these matches are not only about points — they are about momentum, confidence, and star performers stepping up at the right time. That is why a game like GT vs RCB gets so much traction across the country.
Analysis
My take is that GT won because they used the middle overs better than RCB did. The Titans did not let the game drift, and that is often the hidden difference between a good IPL team and a great one. RCB, meanwhile, will likely look back at this as a missed chance to post a more imposing total after their early platform.
What Next
For Gujarat Titans, this win should strengthen confidence in their bowling unit and lower-order batting. If Arshad continues bowling like this and Tewatia keeps finishing games, GT become even more dangerous in tight matches.
For RCB, the next step is clear: they must convert starts into bigger scores and avoid letting the middle overs stall their innings. They have the talent, but the consistency still needs work if they want to stay high in the table and push deep into the tournament.
Conclusion
Gujarat Titans’ win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru was built on smart bowling, timely wickets, and Rahul Tewatia’s composed finishing. Arshad Khan’s three-wicket spell set the tone by keeping RCB to 155, and GT made the chase look controlled despite a few tense moments.
It was the kind of IPL result that underlines how valuable balance is in T20 cricket. Big names matter, but so do the role players who bowl with discipline and finish under pressure. For GT, this was a well-earned victory; for RCB, it was a reminder that promising starts still need a stronger finish.
Written By A. Jack
