Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. For RCB, who finished
top of the table on net run rate, this match is a chance to march straight to the final and defend their title.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans arrive with immense momentum, having secured four wins from their last five games heading into the playoffs.
RCB vs GT Schedule
- Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
- Date: May 22, 2026
- Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Captains: Rajat Patidar (RCB), Shubman Gill (GT)
RCB vs GT Team News
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): RCB will hope for a strong start from Virat Kohli, who has been exceptional this season, scoring 557 runs at an average of 50.63 and a strike rate of 164. The middle order will rely heavily on Venkatesh Iyer and Tim David to accelerate at the death. On the injury front, the absence of Jacob Bethell disrupts their batting balance, though Phil Salt is expected to return. On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the Purple Cap table with 24 wickets. He and Josh Hazlewood form the best powerplay pair in the tournament and will be tasked with providing early breakthroughs.
Gujarat Titans (GT): The Titans expect an electrifying start from their openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who have both remarkably crossed the 600-run mark in IPL 2026. Jos Buttler provides an ultimate x-factor in the finishing role, having recently smashed an unbeaten 57 off 27 balls against CSK. Defensively, GT boasts a formidable unit. Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan have combined for 33 wickets so far. Rabada acts as the powerplay enforcer at 150kph, while Rashid has dominated the middle overs with 13 strikes between overs 7 and 16.
RCB vs GT Predicted Playing 11
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma(w), Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar
Impact subs: Tim David, Kanishk Chouhan
Gujarat Titans (GT): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Subs: Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat.
