Indian Premier League 2026 Final: RCB's Bhuvneshwar Kumar Behind GT's Kagiso Rabada For Most Wickets In Powerplay

The Indian Premier League 2026 is nearing its end, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans locking horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium. RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that has paid rich dividends as GT find themselves in serious trouble at 99/4 after 14 overs, with a projected total of just 163. But this carnage by RCB was initiated in the power play itself. In the powerplay, Josh Hazlewood struck early, dismissing GT skipper Shubman Gill for just 10 with a ball that produced a top edge, which Rajat Patidar held in a sharp catch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then removed Sai Sudharsan, digging in short and wide of off-stump as Sudharsan's attempted pull shot only found the top edge. GT managed only 45/2 in the power play, with the RCB bowling attack completely dictating terms from the very first over. But GT's Kagiso Rabad is still dominating the Indian speedster Kumar when it comes to the powerplay performance.

The list of most wickets in Overs 1 to 6 in a single IPL edition reads like a tribute to the finest new-ball bowlers the tournament has produced. Rabada tops the chart with 19 in IPL 2026, followed by Mohammed Shami with 17 in 2023, Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 17 in 2026, Mitchell Johnson with 16 in 2013, and Trent Boult with 16 in 2020. Remarkably, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, tonight running in with pace and swing for RCB, matches that record in the very same season as Rabada, underlining just how lethal both teams' pace attacks have been throughout this IPL 2026 campaign.

The powerplay proved decisive for RCB's bowlers. Josh Hazlewood struck early, dismissing GT skipper Shubman Gill for just 10 with a ball that produced a top edge, which Rajat Patidar held in a sharp catch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then removed Sai Sudharsan, digging in short and wide of off-stump as Sudharsan's attempted pull shot only found the top edge. GT managed only 45/2 in the powerplay, with the RCB bowling attack completely dictating terms from the very first over.

Krunal Pandya continued to apply pressure in the middle overs, strangling any GT hopes of a recovery. After dismissing Jos Buttler, GT found themselves in tatters as RCB's win probability surged to 72.46%. Pandya's clever use of angles and variations left GT's middle order with no answers, reinforcing his reputation as one of RCB's most valuable match-winners this season.

RCB had already demonstrated their superiority over GT in Qualifier 1, a result that not only secured their spot in the final but also gave the side extra recovery and planning time ahead of the title clash. With the scoreboard firmly in their favour and GT's batting lineup crumbling under relentless pressure, a second consecutive IPL title is well within reach for Rajat Patidar's men under the floodlights of the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.