RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 Toss Report Playing 11 Announced: GT Won The Toss And Elected To Bowl First

There is very little to separate Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans heading into IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, with net run rate ultimately deciding their positions on the points table. Over the last five years, these two sides have been among the most consistent in the league, boasting the highest win percentages and sharing a history of title success in Ahmedabad. Their head-to-head record is evenly balanced, including two closely fought encounters this season, making this their first-ever meeting in the playoffs all the more intriguing.

Qualifier 1, designed to pit the best teams of the season against each other, feels tailor-made for this clash. Yet, while their results are similar, their playing styles contrast sharply. RCB embodies the modern T20 template, built on batting depth, flexibility, and explosive firepower throughout the order. Even in challenging situations, they have shown the ability to recover and post competitive totals.

Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, rely on a more structured approach. Their batting strength revolves around a core group featuring Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. Complementing this is a versatile bowling attack capable of adapting to conditions, with options ranging from pace to spin.

However, it would be simplistic to frame this contest as batting versus bowling. RCB's bowling unit has been equally influential, with experienced campaigners providing control and breakthroughs at key moments. With both teams blending strengths in different areas, this contest represents a fitting start to the playoffs, two evenly matched sides, contrasting in style but united in their pursuit of another IPL title.

RCB vs GT Schedule

• Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, Qualifier 1, IPL 2026
• Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala

RCB vs GT Toss Report

GT won the toss and elected to bowl first. "We are going to bowl first. There's the dew factor. It's one of the prettiest grounds in the world," Shubman Gill, the GT captain, said during the toss.

The toss can become a crucial factor in this game, as in the past 8 games, between both sides, the team that has chased has won all the games.

RCB vs GT Playing 11, Impact Players

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Playing XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar

Impact Subs: Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox

Gujarat Titans

Playing XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

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

RCB And GT IPL 2026 Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Venkatesh Iyer, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Swapnil Singh, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Satvik Deswal

Gujarat Titans Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler, Sai Sudharsan, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Connor Esterhuizen, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Glenn Phillips, Nishant Sindhu, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Luke Wood, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Ashok Sharma, Prithvi Raj Yarra.