Gujarat Titans (GT) hopes to arrive IPL 2026 suffered a major setback after a crushing defeat of 92 against the final Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 1st qualifier at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Chasing a mammoth target of 255 runs, GT struggled straight from the power play and never recovered despite their fighting efforts. Rahul Tewatia in lower order.
RCB completely dominated the contest after their highest total in IPL playoff history, while Gujarat’s batting line-up crumbled under the pressure of the scoreboard. However, one of the most talked about moments after the match came during the GT star’s post-match press conference. Glenn Phillips He reacted harshly to a reporter’s question about the team’s approach during the chase.
Glenn Phillips criticized the reporter for the ‘terrible question’
During the press conference, a reporter suggested that Gujarat Titans might take defeat mentally after Royal Challengers Bengaluru crossed the 250-run mark. The comment immediately sparked a backlash from Glenn Phillips, who flatly rejected the offer. The New Zealand all-rounder admitted that chasing down a target of 250-plus in a play-off match always creates huge scoreboard pressure, especially when very few teams in IPL history have successfully completed such run chases.
“It’s a stupid question. It’s a really stupid question. Nobody goes in there and says, ‘Oh, you know what? We’re just going to give up on that question. Why would we as professional cricketers do that? That’s a terrible question. 250 is a tough ask to chase every day without things going wrong. When you’re trying to chase 250, very few teams have done it. We went out there and gave it our all. Unfortunately, when you’re trying to chase 250, things have to go right and obviously that didn’t happen.” Phillips said at the postgame press conference.
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Rajat Patidar’s blitz took RCB to a historic result
At the start of the match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a batting masterclass led by the skipper. Rajat Patidar. The right-hander smashed 93 off 33 balls in a stunning knock that completely took the momentum away from Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya RCB made valuable contributions as they amassed 254/5 in 20 overs, the highest score ever recorded in the history of the IPL playoffs.
Later, Phillips praised Patidar’s fearless approach and the way he controlled RCB’s batting unit from the front.
“He’s obviously an incredible player and when he’s playing it doesn’t matter what anyone else does, does he? So you know he’s a clean shot, he knows his areas very well and obviously, as the captain of that side, he’s got to play the way he wants his boys to play.” Phillips said.
GT now turns its attention to Qualifier 2
Despite Tewatia’s late resistance, the big target was too much for the Gujarat Titans. Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gilland If Buttler All went cheaply as RCB’s bowling attack maintained complete control throughout the innings.
Although the defeat deprived GT of a direct path to the finals, Shubman’s team is still alive in the tournament and will now prepare for the 2nd qualifier in Mullanpur. A win there will give them another shot at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.
