Bhuvneshwar Kumar has set the tone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s defence of their Indian Premier League title, striking early with a well-directed bouncer that sent Sai Sudharsan's attempted hook soaring to short fine leg in the fourth over.
The veteran seamer's early breakthrough - just when Gujurat Titans looked like they were building momentum - has given the defending champions exactly the grip they needed in this final.
At 26 wickets this season, Kumar showed precisely why RCB backed him as their spearhead.
Josh Hazlewood followed suit, removing a dangerous-looking Shubman Gill who tried to take him on with an aggressive swing across the line.
The Australian's back-of-a-length delivery had Gill top-edging, where Rajat Patidar took the catch at mid-off - a crucial strike that disrupted GT's opening partnership.
Despite a bright start from Sai Sudharsan, who looked dangerous early with two fours in the first over, RCB's pace attack has reasserted control when it mattered most.
GT have scraped to 45-2 at the end of six overs, with Nishant Sindhu and Jos Buttler rebuilding at the crease.
But this is RCB's show right now. Jacob Duffy was economical despite early nerves (sending down three wides), while Rasikh Salam kept things tight.
The powerplay tells the story - when it mattered, RCB's bowlers stepped up.
At 7.50 runs per over, GT are ticking along, but they've lost wickets at crucial moments. The defending champions are right where they want to be.
Match report to follow....
GUJARAT TITANS: Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.