GT vs RCB, IPL 2026: Holder all-round show helps Gujarat Titans defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru

It is difficult to cut an imposing figure in an arena as gigantic as the Narendra Modi Stadium. It is even tougher when more than 90,000 fans turn it into a raucous theatre where every creature can feel small and diminished.

But Jason Holder, the Barbados-born burly man of 6’7” frame, managed that herculean feat with an all-round effort to carry Gujarat Titans to an important four-wicket victory over the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

The 34-year-old bowled four first-rate overs (4-0-29-2), took three sharp-catches – including a diving effort at fine-leg to send back skipper Rajat Patidar – and was involved in a calming 30-run stand for the sixth wicket with Rahul Tewatia (27 n.o., 17b, 4×4) as GT chased down 156 in the 16th over.

After typically classy knocks from Shubman Gill (43, 18b, 1×4, 3×6) and Jos Buttler (39, 19b, 2×4, 4×6), the GT middle-order had the soft-landing it needed to make its presence felt – 64 runs required from 73 balls with seven wickets left.

But it huffed and puffed, with Washington Sundar and Shah Rukh Khan both failing to anchor the pursuit, before Holder (12, 10b, 1×6) and Tewatia saved the day.

Earlier, put in to bat, RCB’s all-conquering line-up was dismissed for the first time this season by a wholesome Titans bowling effort.

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When the imperious Virat Kohli (28, 13b, 5×4, 1×6) hit Kagiso Rabada for five consecutive fours in the second over – a front-foot pull, lofted shot over mid-off, drive past backward point, steer to third-man and a drive through cover – RCB seemed pumped up.

But that was a high-point the outfit rarely scaled for the rest of the innings. Jacob Bethell spooned a catch to short mid-wicket before Kohli was bounced out by Rabada.

Devdutt Padikkal (40, 24b, 5×4, 2×6) helped collect 59 from the PowerPlay, but RCB’s hopes of using that as a launchpad never materialised as it was reduced to 126 for eight by the start of the 15th over.

All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was even brought in as the Impact Player, but the left-hander could only manage a 15-ball 12. From the last six overs, RCB scored just 29 runs, returns that seldom win T20 matches.

Published on Apr 30, 2026