India, May 26 -- RCB have spent years turning playoffs into trauma archives. On Tuesday in Dharamsala, they turned one into a demolition site.

Their 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 became the highest team total in IPL playoff history, going past GT's 233/3 against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023. In a stage where batting sides usually tighten up, RCB expanded the game until Gujarat ran out of control, rhythm and options.

Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 93 was not the highest individual score in IPL playoff history. His own 112 not out against Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 Eliminator remains above it. But this innings carried a different weight because it came with the armband, the match situation and the burden of a fr...