IPL Qualifier 1 Live: Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer begin Bengaluru’s charge in Qualifier 1

Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Four!

Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, OUT! TAKEN! Rabada responds strongly and this is his 18th Powerplay wicket this season, according to Ian Bishop on air. RCB are 21/1 after 2 overs.

Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! That's some improvisation from Venkatesh! Fuller than a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Venkatesh Iyer uses the pace of the ball, shuffles across and scoops it over deep fine leg for the first six of the game.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, In-between length, around off. Virat attempts to dab it away, but chops it off the inside edge to the slip cordon for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Jaffa from Rabada! Good-length delivery and this one cuts in sharply from outside off. Virat Kohli looks to knock it away, but is cut in half and the ball beats the inside edge.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Beaten again! Back of a length with some extra bounce, on off. Kohli tries to pull off the back foot, but is hurried and is beaten.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Swing and a miss! Good pace and carry for Rabada first up. Hits the deck hard, and generates a good bit of lift, outside off. Virat Kohli tries to play the back foot punch through the off side, but the ball bounces over his angled bat.

Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Tap and run! Straightens off the pitch, on a good length, in the channel of off. Virat Kohli plays from the crease, close to his body and dabs it between cover and point for a quick run. 14 runs off the first over.

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Quick run! Hard length, on top of off. Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and taps it to the point region and pinches in a single.

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Goodness me, that's so well struck! Not a half volley by any stretch of imagination, just a couple of yards behind the fuller length, around off. Venkatesh Iyer plays it on the rise and cracks the drive to the right of mid off for a boundary. Three wonderful strokes from Venkatesh already to get RCB going.

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Back of a length, on off, Iyer stands tall and knocks it to cover-point.

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR MORE! This time, with a lot more intent from Iyer! The length is pushed further up, full and shaping in from middle. Venkatesh Iyer detects the length and advances down the track. Heaves it off the inner half of the bat, but puts it between the mid-wicket and mid on gap for a boundary. The outfield is blazing quick and it races to the fence within a blink.

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! High quality shot to get off the mark! Siraj bowls it on a length, around the off pole. Venkatesh Iyer lets the ball arrive, presses on the back foot and punches it solidly between cover and point for a boundary to get RCB underway right away.

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

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

The HPCA Stadium pitch in Dharamsala usually offers good bounce and carry for fast bowlers early on, especially under lights.

Batters can still score freely once settled, making this a balanced surface. Chasing teams have enjoyed more success at this venue during night games.

The biggest battle could be between RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Gujarat’s top order. Bhuvneshwar has an outstanding T20 record against Gill, Buttler and Sudharsan, dismissing Buttler nine times and Gill five times in the format.

For RCB, Virat Kohli’s playoff form will be under focus, while Rajat Patidar’s ability against short-pitched bowling could become crucial. Gujarat Titans will depend heavily on Rashid Khan’s middle-over control and Kagiso Rabada’s pace if the pitch offers bounce and movement.

With both teams finishing level on points and separated only by net run rate, the contest promises to be one of the biggest games of the season. The winner will secure a direct place in the IPL 2026 final, while the loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2.

RCB and GT have been among the most consistent IPL sides in recent years, both reaching four playoffs in the last five seasons. Interestingly, despite their recent success, this will be their first-ever playoff meeting. Their rivalry has been incredibly even, with both teams winning four matches each in previous meetings.

RCB enter the clash with one of the tournament’s strongest batting units. Their lineup features depth, flexibility and power, allowing them to recover even from difficult situations. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, rely heavily on their top-order trio of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler, while also possessing one of the most balanced bowling attacks in the league.

Our reporter Pratyush Raj, who is at the ground in Dharamsala, says there's "no sign of Phil Salt yet."

Jacob Duffy and Rasikh Salam Dar have marked their run-ups.

For GT, left-arm spinner Sai Kishore, who has played only a few games in this year's IPL, was the first GT player to get a close look at the pitch.

Mind you, it's hot and dry here in Dharamsala (garamsala), and there was no dew last night.

Flat pitches, towering sixes and relentless run-scoring have defined IPL 2026 so far. But when Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash in Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium on Tuesday, the contest could ultimately hinge on the bowlers.

The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is unforgiving for bowlers because of its short boundaries. Over the last couple of days, the way Gujarat Titans' Jos Buttler and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Tim David were emptying the ball box by launching monstrous sixes into the stands and even out of the stadium offered a teaser of what could unfold in Qualifier 1.

There is little doubt that it could be another high-scoring contest. In the three matches played here this year, teams crossed the 200-run mark five times. The only innings that fell short ended at 199/8. Across those three games, 74 sixes have been hit, averaging nearly 25 maximums per match.

JASON HOLDER

Matches: 8
Runs: 58
Wickets: 13

Jason Holder may have played only eight matches for Gujarat Titans, but he has made a strong impact with his performances in IPL 2026.

While Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have handled the Powerplay duties brilliantly, the middle overs have often belonged to Holder. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his spell of 4/24 against Punjab Kings, where he dismantled PBKS’ middle order, including the prized wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis.

Apart from his bowling and big-hitting ability, Holder has also been exceptional in the field. In eight matches, he has scored 58 runs and taken 13 wickets. His role will be crucial for GT in the all-important Qualifier 1 against RCB.

Rashid Khan

Matches: 14
Wickets: 19
Economy: 8.71
Best: 4/33

With years of experience behind him, Rashid Khan knows exactly how to outfox batters. Even on days when wickets don’t come easily, he has the ability to choke the flow of runs and build pressure.

The Afghanistan spinner will once again be Shubman Gill’s go-to bowler in the knockout clash. Rashid has played 14 matches this season and picked up 19 wickets at an economy rate of 8.71, with best figures of 4/33.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Matches: 14
Wickets: 24
Economy: 8.07
Best: 4/23

The swing king Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been lethal in the Powerplay this season. Give him the ball early, and he delivers wickets.

Currently holding the Purple Cap, Bhuvneshwar has led the RCB bowling attack from the front. In 14 matches, he has claimed 24 wickets, with best figures of 4/23. The veteran pacer will once again be expected to rattle GT’s batting lineup and provide early breakthroughs in Qualifier 1.

According to the weather forecast, there are little chances of rain during the match as the chances of rainfall stand an hour before the game stand at more than 50 per cent. Nevertheless, as the day grows old, the possibility of rain interrupting play in Dharamshala on Tuesday evening gets lesser. However, if the rain plays spoilsport and persists for a long period during the game, the match could well get abandoned as both teams are required to play at least five overs to produce a result.

In case of a complete wash-out game, there are no reserve days for Qualifiers and Eliminator of the IPL 2026 playoffs. The winner of the game will be decided by the position of the team in the league stage. For today’s match, a washout would give RCB a chance to defend their title in the final as they have finished the league stage as table-toppers.

Krunal Pandya

Matches: 14
Runs: 182
Average: 45.50
Strike Rate: 145.60
Wickets: 11

Whenever the team has been in trouble, Krunal Pandya’s ‘main hoon na’ approach has worked brilliantly for RCB. Whether it is rescuing the side with crucial runs or controlling the flow of runs with his clever bowling, Krunal has delivered in every department this season.

Against Mumbai Indians, Krunal battled severe cramps, repeatedly went down on the field, but still guided RCB to a thrilling two-wicket win with a match-saving 73 off 46 balls. Apart from his batting heroics, the all-rounder has also impressed with his disciplined bowling, especially with his short-ball variations. So far, he has scored 182 runs and claimed 11 wickets in the tournament.

SHUBMAN GILL

Matches: 13
Runs: 616
Average: 47.38
Strike Rate: 161.67

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans, champions in IPL 2022, entered the playoffs as the second-best team on the points table with 18 points. One of the biggest reasons behind their success has been the captain’s sensational form.

Shedding the tag of not being a T20 batter, Gill has silenced his critics in style. He is currently the second-highest run-getter in the tournament with 616 runs in 13 matches at an average of 47.38 and a strike rate of 161.67. The stylish opener already has six half-centuries under his belt. If Kohli will be the key man for RCB, Gill will be expected to fire on all cylinders for GT in Qualifier 1.

The group stage is done and dusted. Now, it’s time for the real business - the playoffs. The stage is set for a blockbuster clash as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams finished the league stage with 18 points from 14 matches, but RCB claimed the top spot owing to a superior net run rate.

With only a few hours left for the big clash, here’s a look at the key players to watch out for in the high-voltage RCB vs GT encounter:

With nine wins in 14 matches, 18 points and an impressive net run rate of +0.78, RCB became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs. One of the biggest architects behind RCB’s success this season has once again been their talisman Virat Kohli. The former India captain has been in tremendous form throughout the season and the defending champions will hope he carries the same momentum into the playoffs as well.

RCB are set to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The winner of Qualifier 1 will march directly into the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

But there is one statistic that may worry RCB fans.

Despite being one of the greatest batters in IPL history, Kohli does not boast a dominating record in the playoff stages of the tournament.

In his illustrious IPL career spanning 281 matches, Kohli has played 16 games, in playoffs, for RCB and scored 357 runs at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 121.42. He has registered two half-centuries in playoff matches and also has a duck to his name.

Kohli has been the face of RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008. Signed by the Bengaluru franchise as a youngster, he has remained loyal to the team throughout his IPL journey.

After failing to qualify for the playoffsts in the inaugural season in 2008, RCB reached the playoffs for the first time in 2009. They defeated Chennai Super Kings in the semifinal to enter the final, but eventually lost the title clash to Deccan Chargers.

The winner of Qualifier 1 - be it defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Gujarat Titans - will directly book a place in the IPL 2026 final. The summit clash will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. During the pre-Qualifier 1 press conference, RCB captain Rajat Patidar was asked about the defending champions potentially missing out on playing the final at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, if they qualify for the title clash.

The BCCI shifted the IPL 2026 final to Ahmedabad citing operational reasons.

"It's not in my control. I think BCCI has to decide where the final is going to be. This is a historic site, so wherever the final is going to be, that's where it is going to be. We are focused on reaching the final," Patidar told reporters.

With Dharamsala known for producing high-scoring encounters because of the altitude, Dahiya admitted that spinners may not have a major role to play.

Dharamsala hosted three league-stage matches this season and all of them turned out to be high-scoring contests, with teams crossing the 200-run mark regularly at the scenic venue.

RCB have already played one game at the venue this season, registering a 23-run win over Punjab Kings, while GT will be playing here for the first time this year.

"I think it's for everyone to see. It's not only us. Since you start playing IPL games in Dharamshala or whatever games that we have seen playing here, high altitude, we know the number of sixes are much more here than any other ground.

"There are some in Bangalore as well, but that's what one thing is here. I think it's all come down to dynamics, what sort of a surface you get here, but you are absolutely right. There's not much role to play for Spinners, but they do come in."

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli will hold the key for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. He said the veteran batter will need to play a long innings against GT’s formidable pace attack.

Bangar said Gujarat’s bowling strength, especially in the Powerplay, could make life difficult for RCB’s top order, and Kohli needs to tackle the challenge and bat deep.

“Virat Kohli will need to bat deep because the Gujarat Titans have a quality bowling attack. In the Powerplay, RCB will have to handle three overs from Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj. That will be a tough test,” Bangar told Jio Hotstar.

The former India all-rounder also predicted a possible change in Bengaluru's batting combination, saying he expects Venkatesh Iyer to open the innings ahead of Phil Salt.

“Looking at GT's team composition, I expect Venkatesh Iyer to open the innings. I don't see Phil Salt playing ahead of him,” he added.

Dahiya also highlighted the importance of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan ahead of the blockbuster clash.

Kohli has been in sublime touch this season, scoring 557 runs in 14 matches at an average of 50.63 and a strike rate of 163.82. He also has one century and four half-centuries to his name. On the other hand, Gill and Sudharsan are the top two run-getters in the tournament so far. Gill has amassed 616 runs in 13 matches at an average of 47.38 and a strike rate of 161.67, while Sudharsan has scored 638 runs at an average of 49.08 and a strike rate of 157.92.

"Absolutely, these three are going to play a very very crucial role and one thing that you mentioned, good you mentioned these three names, and that tells you that if you are technically very strong and mentally as well, all three names, if you want to put them in grade, they are there. Very very mentally strong and they can change the game according to the format.

"This is what they have done. But you have to have that in you to change according to the situation, according to the format and all three have done that."

The former India wicketkeeper-batter also had special praise for GT skipper Gill.

"Virat Kohli has done more than anyone else in this because he has played much more than the other two names that you sent.

"But this season the way Shubham Gill has played, I think he tells you how strong he is, not only technically, but mentally as well and can change his game according to the situation and according to the demand of the format as well."

According to the weather forecast, there are little chances of rain during the match as the chances of rainfall stand an hour before the game stand at more than 50 per cent. Nevertheless, as the day grows old, the possibility of rain interrupting play in Dharamshala on Tuesday evening gets lesser. However, if the rain plays spoilsport and persists for a long period during the game, the match could well get abandoned as both teams are required to play at least five overs to produce a result.

What happens if the RCB vs GT match gets washed out

In case of a complete wash-out game, there are no reserve days for Qualifiers and Eliminator of the IPL 2026 playoffs.

The winner of the game will be decided by the position of the team in the league stage. For today’s match, a washout would give RCB a chance to defend their title in the final as they have finished the league stage as table-toppers.

For GT, a washout will see the Shubman Gill-led side qualify for the 2nd qualifier, where they will meet the winner of the Eliminator.

It will be a bit of bad luck as the two-time finalist will miss the chance to get the final spot directly, as they have finished second on the points table in the league stage.

The build-up to this high-stakes contest carries strong narratives. RCB enter the playoffs with a settled top-order, boosted by the comeback of Englishman Phil Salt, who is understood to have regained fitness ahead of the encounter. The bowling attack will be led by Purple Cap holder Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The stage is set for the biggest clash of the Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday. The winner will seal a direct berth in the final, while the losing side will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.

Ahead of the high-stakes clash, GT assistant coach Vijay Dahiya described the encounter as a true battle between two quality teams.

"The moment you say battle, yes, it's got to be a battle, it's between those two teams we have met twice in this edition and it's 1-1, both of them are really good sides. Yeah, you can say that and equally matched, some big players on both sides and both the teams play as a unit, I think that's what stands out about both the teams," GT assistant coach Vijay Dahiya said ahead of the clash.

"You always look at things you could have done better, but over the course of 14 games, I think we have performed really well as a team. It's important now that we start fresh and take it one game at a time."

- Devdutt Padikkal

"He [Rashid Khan] wants to contribute to the side where he has been valued as a very, very important player and I think this is what the GT setup is all about. They looked after him when he was not up to his mark because his standards are very high and I think he is giving GT management what you ask him to do."

- Vijay Dahiya

In five IPL matches and four innings across opening and middle-order roles, Venkatesh has scored 158 runs at an average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52, including one half-century and a best score of 73 not out.

Salt, meanwhile, has made 202 runs in six innings at the top of the order at an average of 33.66 and a strike rate above 168, with two fifties and a highest score of 78.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull said he would continue with Venkatesh Iyer as opener alongside Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, saying it would not be easy for England batter Phil Salt to return immediately after a long injury break.

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Doull said, "I would stick with Venkatesh Iyer as the opener alongside Virat Kohli. Phil Salt has been out for three and a half weeks. Coming back from a long layoff, especially with a finger injury, is never easy. He is a quality player and has done well for RCB and England in T20s, but match fitness and shot-timing take time to return. The playoffs are not the place to test that," he said.

The RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 clash will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.

The toss for today’s IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will take place at 7:00 PM IST, while the match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.