Kagiso Rabada takes screamer to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer

After posting a modest total of 155 runs in the IPL 2026 final, the Gujarat Titans needed an early breakthrough with the ball to put the Royal Challengers Bengaluru under pressure. However, RCB's batters came out with aggressive intent and looked determined to capitalise on the powerplay.

Opener Venkatesh Iyer got off to a flying start, attacking the Gujarat bowlers from the outset. The left-hander struck several boundaries and appeared well on course for a big score as he dominated the early exchanges and kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace.

Gujarat Titans finally found a breakthrough in the second over when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Iyer for 32 runs. The wicket was made possible by a brilliant piece of fielding from Gujarat's ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, who sprinted forward and completed a superb running catch near mid-off. The stunning effort quickly became one of the highlights of the final and provided Gujarat with a much-needed boost in their defense of 155.

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Rabada dives full stretch at slip to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer — Here's what happened in RCB vs GT IPL 2026

Venkatesh Iyer looked in excellent form during the early stages of RCB's chase and took the attack to Kagiso Rabada. In the second over of the innings, the left-hander smashed the Gujarat Titans pacer for 19 runs, including three fours and a six. His aggressive batting gave RCB a flying start and put immediate pressure on the Titans in the IPL 2026 final.

However, Rabada stayed calm despite the early punishment and waited for an opportunity to make an impact. With Iyer batting aggressively and threatening to take the game away, Gujarat desperately needed a breakthrough to slow RCB's momentum.

That moment arrived in the following over. On the third ball of Mohammed Siraj's spell, the Indian batter attempted a pull shot but failed to get the timing right. The ball flew towards the slip region, where Rabada reacted quickly and completed a superb diving catch. The stunning effort ended Iyer's dangerous innings and gave the Gujarat Titans a much-needed breakthrough in the final.

How the catch unfolded — Delivery, position, and why Venkatesh Iyer had no chance

The dismissal took place in the fifth over of RCB's chase when Gujarat Titans were desperately searching for a breakthrough. Venkatesh Iyer was batting aggressively and had already put the GT bowlers under pressure with a series of boundaries and sixes. Just one ball earlier, he had top-edged a pull shot for a six, showing his intent to keep attacking.

Mohammed Siraj responded with another short-pitched delivery. This time, the ball climbed sharply on Iyer, who once again attempted the pull shot. However, he failed to middle the ball and only managed to get a thick top edge. The mistimed shot went high into the air instead of finding the boundary.

Stationed at mid-on, Kagiso Rabada kept his eyes on the ball and moved into position quickly. The South African pacer completed a comfortable catch to end Iyer's explosive innings on 32 off just 16 balls, including four fours and two sixes. The wicket provided Gujarat Titans with a much-needed breakthrough and halted RCB's early momentum in the IPL 2026 final.

RCB dugout erupts, fans can't stop replaying it — How Rabada's catch swung the IPL 2026 match

Rabada's catch proved to be one of the key moments of the IPL 2026 final. At that stage, Venkatesh Iyer was batting aggressively and had already put the Gujarat Titans bowlers under pressure with a quickfire 32 off just 16 balls. Mohammed Siraj eventually induced a mistimed pull shot, and Kagiso Rabada reacted brilliantly at mid-on, diving forward to complete a superb catch and end the dangerous innings.

The dismissal immediately lifted the energy levels in the Gujarat camp and gave the Titans renewed hope. The catch quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising Rabada's athleticism, awareness, and safe hands under pressure. It was one of the standout fielding efforts of the final and briefly brought Gujarat back into the contest.

However, Rabada's brilliance in the field was not enough to change the outcome. RCB's victory was built on a disciplined bowling display and a composed chase led by Virat Kohli's match-winning 75 off 42 balls. The win also saw Rajat Patidar become only the third captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, to win back-to-back IPL titles, as RCB successfully defended their crown and added another memorable chapter to the franchise's history.