Titans Triumph as Holder and Spinners Strangle RCB in Ahmedabad

Fri May 01 2026

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a dominant all-round performance from the Gujarat Titans (GT) as they secured a convincing 4-wicket victory over the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in Match 42 of IPL 2026. Chasing a modest target of 156, the Titans’ top-order assault ensured the game was never in doubt, crossing the finish line with 25 balls to spare.

RCB Batting Collapse

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Shubman Gill’s decision was immediately tested by a vintage Virat Kohli. The batting maestro took a particular liking to Kagiso Rabada, smashing five consecutive boundaries in the second over. However, the momentum shifted quickly when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jacob Bethell, and Rabada exacted his revenge by removing Kohli for a blistering 28 off 13 balls.

What followed was a disciplined strangulation by the GT bowling unit. Arshad Khan was the pick of the bowlers, returning clinical figures of 3/22. He was expertly supported by the ever-reliable Rashid Khan, who choked the run flow with 2/19 in his four overs.

The middle order offered little resistance as Jason Holder turned the tide not just with the ball, but with his safe hands in the field. Holder claimed two wickets and grabbed three pivotal catches—including a controversial diving effort to dismiss RCB skipper Rajat Patidar. Despite a resilient 40 from Devdutt Padikkal, RCB was bundled out for 155 in 19.2 overs, a total that seemed significantly below par on the Ahmedabad surface.

The Chase: Gill and Buttler Unleashed

Any hopes of an RCB comeback were swiftly extinguished by the opening duo of Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. Gill was in sublime touch, taking apart Josh Hazlewood for 24 runs in a single over. He raced to 43 off just 18 deliveries, while Buttler contributed a quick-fire 39. Their aggressive start saw GT reach 69/2 by the end of the Powerplay.

While Romario Shepherd and Bhuvneshwar Kumar managed to pick up middle-order wickets to cause a slight flutter, the target was always within reach. Rahul Tewatia played a calm hand, scoring an unbeaten 27, while Jason Holder added 12 runs to his match-winning tally before falling to Suyash Sharma.

In the end, Rashid Khan joined Tewatia to apply the finishing touches, sealing the win in 15.5 overs. Jason Holder was named Player of the Match for his exceptional all-round contribution, particularly his game-changing presence in the field.

Points Table Impact

This victory marks the fifth win for the Gujarat Titans, moving them to 10 points and keeping them firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. Despite the loss, RCB remains in a strong position, holding second place in the standings. For GT, this win serves as a crucial confidence booster as the tournament enters its final leg, proving they have the bowling depth and firepower to dismantle the league's top contenders.