Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar delivered one of the most remarkable performances in IPL 2026 during Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans at Dharamsala. As a right-handed batter, he showcased his aggressive style by smashing a brilliant half-century, placing himself among the fastest fifties in IPL playoff history with ease.
Patidar reached fifty on just 21 balls, a feat that put him in the company of some of the tournament’s most iconic players. His fearless approach not only changed the tempo of the match but also helped RCB post a massive total of 254/5 in 20 overs. The skipper remained not out on 93 runs off 33 balls, with a mix of attacking shots that left the Gujarat Titans bowlers struggling to contain the onslaught.
A Historic Achievement
Rajat Patidar’s innings now ranks among the fastest in IPL playoff and knockout games. He tied the record of former India opener Virender Sehwag and former Chennai Super Kings batter Dwayne Smith, both of whom achieved their playoff fifties in 21 deliveries. However, the fastest playoff fifty is still held by Suresh Raina, who reached the milestone in just 16 balls against Punjab in 2014.
Here is a list of the fastest 50s in IPL knockouts/playoffs:
- Balls | Player | Opponent | Venue | Year
*—|—|—|—|— - 16 | Suresh Raina | PBKS | Wankhede | 2014
- 17 | Adam Gilchrist | DC | Centurion | 2009
- 20 | MS Dhoni | MI | Bengaluru | 2012
- 21 | Dwayne Smith | CSK | Delhi | 2013
- 21 | Virender Sehwag | CSK | Wankhede | 2014
- 21 | Rajat Patidar | PBKS | Dharamsala | 2026
From the moment he walked into the crease, Patidar looked fearless. He attacked both pacers and spinners without hesitation, leaving no room for the Gujarat Titans bowlers to settle. His innings featured five boundaries and nine sixes, with a particular emphasis on the death overs where he asserted his authority and pushed the total beyond 250.
RCB Batters Dominate Gujarat Titans Bowlers
Royal Challengers Bengaluru started their innings with a flying pace after being asked to bat first. Venkatesh Iyer was the first to strike, scoring 19 runs off seven balls before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him. Virat Kohli then took over, maintaining the momentum with a 43-run knock off 25 balls, including five fours and one six. Devdutt Padikkal contributed an important 30 runs from 19 balls before Jason Holder removed him.
After those early wickets, Patidar and Krunal Pandya formed a solid partnership. Krunal scored 43 off 28 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, until Rabada took his second wicket. Jitesh Sharma capped off the innings with a quick 15 not out from five balls. RCB ended their innings at 254/5 in 20 overs, with a run rate of 12.7.
For Gujarat Titans, Jason Holder was the standout performer, taking two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada also claimed two. Rashid Khan was more economical, conceding only 29 runs in three overs. Despite managing a few wickets in the middle overs, the Gujarat Titans struggled to contain RCB’s batting onslaught, as Patidar led the charge with a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
