IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat (GT) are keen to secure a berth in the final by winning the Qualifier 1 round of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The 71st match of the ongoing season will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamshala.
RCB and GT concluded the group stage with 18 points each. However, a superior net-run-rate of +0.783 compared to the Titans (+0.695) placed the defending champions at the top of the points table.
To predict the winner of the Qualifier 1 round, let’s take a look at the recent form of RCB and GT in the last five matches, head-to-head statistical records, weather and pitch report, main players, predicted playing XI, and impact subs list.
Bengaluru vs Gujarat IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 Match Details
- IPL 2026 Tournament Stage: Qualifier 1
- Match Number in IPL 2026: 71
- Date and Day: May 26, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Match Timings: 07:30 pm IST
- Venue: HPCA Stadium
- Seating Limit: Upto 21,000
RCB vs GT Head-to-Head Rivalry in IPL
| Total Matches Played | 08 |
| Won | RCB: 04, and GT: 04 |
| Highest Innings Total | RCB: 206, and GT: 205 |
| Lowest Innings Total | RCB: 155, and GT: 147 |
| Winnings Batting First | RCB: 0, and GT: 0 |
| Winnings Batting Second | RCB: 04, and GT: 04 |
Head-to-Head Playoff Records of RCB vs GT
For the first time in IPL history, GT will face off against RCB in a playoff since its debut season in 2022.
RCB vs GT Head-to-Head Rivalry at HPCA Stadium
The forthcoming match between RCB and GT marks the first instance of these two teams competing against each other at the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala.
Recent Form of RCB and GT in the Last 5 Matches of IPL 2026
| Team | Outcomes in the Last 5 Matches of IPL 2026 | ||||
| RCB | Lost to SRH by 55 Runs | 23-Run win vs PBKS | 6-wicket win vs KKR | 2-wicket win vs MI | Lost to LSG by 9 Runs |
| GT | 89-Run win vs CSK | Lost to KKR by 29 Runs | 82-Run Win vs SRH | 77-Run Win vs RR | 4-Wicket Win vs PBKS |
5 Key Players to Watch During RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
| RCB Key Players | GT Key Players |
| Virat Kohli | Shubman Gill |
| Rajat Patidar | Sai Sudharsan |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Jos Buttler |
| Krunal Pandya | Washington Sundar |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Jason Holder (Overseas) |
HPCA Stadium: Weather, Pitch, and Toss For IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
- Weather: Although Orange alerts are issued across Himachal Pradesh, the Qualifier 1 match between RCB and GT will progress smoothly without any rain threats.
- Temperature: 22°C
- Wind Speed: 13 km/hr
- Humidity: 16%
- Cloud Cover: 1%
- Dew Point: -5°
- Rainfall Chance: NIL
- Pitch: The HPCA stadium has turned out to be a batting paradise in recent games as the first batting teams have accumulated 200+ total in all 3 matches of this IPL season. Chasing can become highly favorable only with a strong batting line-up that shows a high intent to score runs on a tricky surface.
- Toss: Analyzing the weather forecast reports, the toss-winning captain should prefer batting first. Unlike other venues, the dew factor is unlikely to play any big role in the second innings. So, spinners could produce more variations, particularly during the second innings.
RCB and GT Predicted XI and Impact Player Options For IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
Here is how Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans are expected to form their best starting XI and include the dynamic players in the impact subs list for the forthcoming Qualifier 1 clash:
RCB Expected Playing XI vs GT in Qualifier 1
- Virat Kohli
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
- Romario Shepherd (Overseas)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood (Overseas)
- Suyash Sharma
- Rasikh Dar Salam
RCB Predicted Impact Subs Options vs GT in Qualifier 1
- Tim David (Overseas / Expected Impact Player)
- Kanishk Chouhan
- Swapnil Singh
- Abhinandan Singh
- Jordan Cox (Overseas)
GT Expected Playing XI vs RCB in Qualifier 1
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Jos Buttler (Wicketkeeper / Overseas)
- Nishant Sindhu
- Washington Sundar
- Jason Holder (Overseas)
- Rashid Khan (Overseas)
- Rahul Tewatia
- Kagiso Rabada (Overseas)
- Arshad Khan
- Mohammed Siraj
GT Predicted Impact Subs Options vs RCB in Qualifier 1
- Prasidh Krishna (Expected Impact Player)
- Anuj Rawat
- Glenn Phillips
- R. Sai Kishore
- Kumar Kushagra
IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 Winner Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Gujarat Titans?
Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans are favorites to win the upcoming match, given their powerful batting line-up and dominant pace bowling attack.
Ultimately, the team that makes use of the playing conditions at the HPCA stadium and maintains perfect balance in the batting and bowling line-up is certain to gain entry into the IPL 2026 final.