After 70 staggering games in IPL 2026, we have finally reached the final week and the business end of the tournament. It’s time for the Playoffs, where 4 top deserving teams clash against each other. In the first Playoff clash, we are set to have Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to lock horns against Gujarat Titans (GT). It’s the 2025 champions defending their title against the 2022 champions. The venue for this clash is the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
It’s the battle of equals, we may say, as both teams won 9 out of 14 games and finished on 18 points with NRR separating the two teams. Both teams met against each other twice this season, and it’s 1-1 there as well. There is nothing really to choose between the two teams. Both have their different strengths and weaknesses, with GT’s pace bowling looking solid while RCB are a bit weak in that department. But RCB’s batting as a package is better than GT’s. The stage is set for an intriguing clash in the hills of Dharamsala.
Overview
The stage is set for Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 as defending champions and table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. The equation is simple. Win, and you get a direct entry into the final match. If you lose, you have a second bite at the cherry in Qualifier 2. That is the advantage of finishing one and two, you have two cracks at reaching the finals. The same cannot be said for teams 3 and 4, as they have to do it the hard way.
Since 2022, GT and RCB seem to have cracked the code for IPL dominance. They own the best winning percentages in the tournament during this period. GT have won 46 of their 74 matches since 2022, while RCB have registered 43 wins. The next best are the Rajasthan Royals with 38 wins.
This season, RCB have looked every bit like defending champions. Despite suffering multiple injury setbacks during the campaign, they have managed to overcome them impressively. Josh Hazlewood missed the first few games, while an injury to Phil Salt temporarily disrupted their opening combination.
They tried Jacob Bethell alongside Virat Kohli while Salt was away, but the left-handed batter failed to cement his place. In the last game, Venkatesh Iyer was sent to open the innings, and he impressed with a quickfire knock. In the batting department, the only concern for the title holders is the form of Jitesh Sharma, their wicket-keeper batter. The rest of the batting unit has chipped in at various stages, but Jitesh has struggled for runs this season.
Virat Kohli has had another season in which he has scored over 500 runs. Captain Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal have brought an aggressive approach to the set-up, and that has worked wonders for RCB. Tim David has chipped in with cameos whenever needed. Romario Shepherd has been hit and miss, but that is not something that should bother RCB too much.
In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is leading the way with 24 wickets. Josh Hazlewood has had a few games where things haven’t gone his way, but you would back his experience to come through in clutch situations. Rasikh Salam Dar has been the underdog in RCB’s set-up. His change of pace and ability to nail yorkers have given RCB the edge.
On the other hand, the Gujarat Titans (GT) have been overly dependent on their top three. Skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler need to do well to improve their team’s chances of winning. There have hardly been any games where the top order has failed, and the batters at No. 4, 5, and 6 have managed to take the team out of trouble.
Their bowling has been spot on. Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj have bowled well in tandem, while Rashid Khan too has found form this season. They have used Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna as Impact Subs depending on the conditions, and both have done their jobs well. The difference in GT’s campaign came when they replaced Glenn Phillips with Jason Holder. The tall West Indies all-rounder has not only provided crucial runs down the order, but his wily bowling has also proved to be a nightmare for batters in the middle overs.
Gill and Sudharsan have scored over 600 runs each, and they lead the Orange Cap race, with the latter inching ahead by 22 runs after the league stage. Jos Buttler is also closing on another 500-plus-run IPL season. While many have called GT’s batting approach outdated in modern-day cricket, that very approach has taken them into the top four. They are now just one win away from reaching their third IPL final in only their fifth year in the tournament.
These two teams met twice during the league stage, with each winning at home. Qualifier 1, however, will be played at a neutral venue- Dharamsala. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already played a game there this season and tasted victory, while it will be the Gujarat Titans’ first outing in this part of the country.
The weather forecast for matchday is clear, and we are expected to have an uninterrupted contest. However, if there is a change in weather and a five-overs-a-side game is not possible, then RCB will progress to the final by virtue of finishing at the top of the table after the league phase. So, the stage is set, and we have to wait and watch as to which of these two teams marches into the finals.
Head-To-Head
RCB and GT have played against each other 8 times, and it’s split down the middle with the record showing 4-4. This season, it’s 1-1. All 8 games in their meetings have been won by the side chasing. So, chasing could be the way to go again in Dharamsala. Earlier in the tourney, RCB had defeated GT at Bengaluru, resulting in Virat Kohli’s classic. Later, GT took revenge at Ahmedabad with GT’s pacers firing all cylinders and taking revenge.
Pitch & Weather Report
With the Dharamsala venue, it is better to look up and down. The ground is situated at an altitude of 1457 meters. So, once again, the ball is expected to fly farther and faster. It should help the batters to land those big hits. As far as the pitch is concerned, it could offer the bowlers a hint of nip upfront and a touch of variable bounce.
The weather in Dharamsala is set to be cool, with little or no chance of rain expected through the course of the game.
Predicted/Probable Playing XIs for both teams
Here, we will try and predict the playing XIs of both teams:
RCB XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk)/Venkatesh Iyer. Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.
GT XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.
Key players to watch out for in this clash
Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli is always a key player for whichever team he plays for. Now, with the playoffs around the corner, Virat Kohli is a gun player. With the stakes high, you need your big players to step up. Virat is exactly that. He got a half-century at this venue against PBKS and will want to continue his good run this season. If Virat gets going, RCB will surely reach the finals.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The purple cap holder Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be key on this pitch. With the pitch expected to seam and swing, Bhuvneshwar could be key in dismantling the top order of GT. If he succeeds in doing so, half the battle is won for RCB. So, he will want to get things right after losing against SRH and come back stronger. Bhuvneshwar, alongside Josh, will be crucial, but with the latter out of form, expect Bhuvneshwar to do the heavy lifting.
Sai Sudharsan: He is Mr. Consistent for GT as he has secured 5 consecutive fifties this season. Sai Sudharsan is a quality player and gets the team off to a solid start. He complements his skipper, Shubman Gill, well. But Sai is someone who has been in form and scored a ton against RCB in Bengaluru. If Sai gets going, it could be trouble for the RCB team as he has the ability to play through and go deep as well.
Kagiso Rabada: He has been a revelation this season. Kagiso Rabada has been lethal with the new ball alongside Siraj. Rabada is the leading wicket-taker for GT so far, and the conditions in Dharamsala will suit Rabada’s style of bowling. If Rabada can perform the way he is doing, then he will create trouble and nerves for the RCB team. If he gets going, he could be a hot bowler to see in action.
Key Stats and records to keep in mind ahead of this clash
- GT have never played an IPL game at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala since they joined the IPL in 2022.
- The loser of Qualifier 1 has a hectic travel schedule. They move from Dharamsala to New Chandigarh to play Qualifier 2 three days later. If they then win Qualifier 2, they have to travel even further from New Chandigarh to Ahmedabad to play the final with only a day’s gap in between.
- These are two of the three best bowling units in the power play. GT have taken 30 wickets in that phase at an average of 24.53, and an economy of 8.76. RCB are not far behind with 28 wickets at 28.50 and 9.50, respectively.
- The head-to-head between these two sides is dead even at 4-4. This is the first time they are facing each other in a playoff match.
Prediction of RCB vs GT Qualifier 1:
Predicted/Possible Outcome of the Match
It is the clash of equals and two of the best sides in the competition going at it. They have similar strengths and weaknesses. The head-to-head and history are split wide open. The team chasing may have an advantage here we feel. Both teams will give their all in reaching the finals. But since RCB has played in Dharamsala before and also this season, we are tilting to give the advantage to them. But GT has an equal chance to make it through.
The winner goes to Ahmedabad. The loser goes to New Chandigarh for Qualifier 2. Which way is it going to go tonight? Only time will tell.
Also Read:Â RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli Continues Purple Patch