GT Opt to Bowl First Against RCB in High-Stakes IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala

Dharamshala, May 2026 : Gujarat Titans (GT) won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday, setting the stage for a high-pressure clash between the two table-toppers.

The match carries massive significance, as the winner will secure a direct entry into the IPL final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2. Both teams finished at the top of the points table with 18 points each, separated only by net run rate, highlighting the fine margins that have defined their season.

Gujarat Titans made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Kulwant Khejrolia in place of Arshad Khan. Royal Challengers Bengaluru also made a single adjustment, with Jacob Duffy returning to the side in place of Romario Shepherd.

After winning the toss, GT skipper Shubman Gill said the decision to bowl first was influenced by conditions at the picturesque Dharamshala venue, particularly the possibility of dew in the second innings.

“We’re gonna bowl first. It looks like a good wicket, but we have seen at this ground there is a bit of dew in the second innings, so it’s always good to have a total on the board and then try to chase it down,” Gill said.

He emphasised the importance of keeping things simple in a knockout game, adding that the focus would be on removing pressure from the equation and playing consistent cricket.

Gill also expressed confidence in his side’s recent form and personal familiarity with the venue. “We have been playing some really good cricket, and hopefully we’ll continue to do so. I’ve played a lot here in my under-14 and under-16 days, so I know the conditions well. It’s one of the prettiest grounds in the world,” he added.

Confirming the team change, Gill said, “We have one change. Kulwant comes in place of Arshad Khan.”

On the other hand, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar said the pitch looked firm and good for batting, suggesting that the surface would remain consistent throughout the 40 overs.

“To be honest, the wicket looks pretty good. It’s pretty hard and will come nicely onto the bat. I don’t think it will change much in 40 overs,” Patidar said.

He added that his team’s plan was to post a strong total and apply pressure on GT while staying focused on their own strengths rather than overthinking the opposition.

“We’ll try to put a good total on the board and keep them under pressure. The first qualifier is a great opportunity to go straight into the final, but we are taking it one game at a time,” he said.

RCB and GT have had a closely contested season, having split their league-stage encounters 1-1. Overall, their head-to-head record in the IPL now stands evenly poised at 4-4, underlining the competitive balance between the two sides.

Notably, one of RCB’s five defeats in the season came against Gujarat Titans, where GT’s disciplined bowling attack successfully restricted them. However, RCB had earlier bounced back by winning the reverse fixture, showcasing the evenly matched nature of the rivalry.

Both teams enter Qualifier 1 with strong ambitions. Defending champions RCB are aiming to secure back-to-back IPL titles, while Gujarat Titans are chasing their second championship after their maiden triumph in 2022.

Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Jacob Duffy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar.

Impact substitutes: Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chauhan, Abhinandan, Jordan Cox.

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Kulwant, Mohammed Siraj.

Impact substitutes: Rahul Tewatia, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Sai Kishore, Kumar Kushagra.

With two evenly matched sides, experienced international stars, and high-pressure knockout stakes, the Qualifier 1 promises a gripping contest as both franchises look to move one step closer to IPL 2026 glory.

Team Maverick