The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Tuesday, May 26, at the Himachal
Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
The defending champions topped the table in dominant fashion, winning nine of their 14 games. Throughout the season, they have looked like the team to beat and have been clinical with bat, ball and in the field. They were beaten by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final game of the season, an almost-dead rubber, where the outcome would not have significantly altered their playoff position.
The Titans have been one of the best resurgent teams in the 2026 IPL, picking up form after a slow start to the season. They also finished the season with nine wins, but missed out on the top spot due to net run rate. They come off a dominant win against the Chennai Super Kings, sealing their spot in the top two.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala: Pitch Report
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is one of the most scenic and breathtaking venues in the country. Aesthetics aside, the venue has also been one of the best batting venues in the country. The ball travels much faster and longer in the air due to the high altitude, making this a venue known for six-hitting. The three games at Dharamshala in IPL 2026 have seen teams batting first put up totals over 200. Seamers get significant help with the new ball in the form of lateral movement in the air.
IPL Stats and Records at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
| Matches Played | 17 |
| Won Batting First | 10 |
| Won Batting Second | 07 |
| Highest Total | 241/7 |
| Lowest Total | 116 |
| Average score batting first | 192 |
RCB vs GT, Qualifier 1: Strategies and Match-ups
The two teams have met twice in the season and have won one game apiece. Their first meeting at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium saw the Rajat Patidar's men emerge victorious by five wickets despite Sai Sudharsan's brilliant century taking the Titans to 205/3. Virat Kohli scored a magnificent 81 off 44 balls to lead RCB's chase.
Shubman Gill's men got themselves even at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, bundling the defending champions out for 155. The Titans kept losing wickets in their chase, which dented their momentum, but reached home with four wickets in hand. Gill scored a quickfire 43 off just 18 balls at the top, which set the platform for the chase.
