GT vs RCB Match Preview: Who Will Win IPL 2026 Qualifier 1?

GT vs RCB Match Preview: Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru approach T20 cricket in different ways. RCB use a modern batting style with powerful hitters all through their line-up.

This approach helped them win the Indian Premier League last season, proving they can handle both setting and chasing big scores.

GT vs RCB Match Preview: Match Details

IPL 2026 GT vs RCB: An Overview of Team Performances

RCB have Krunal Pandya batting at number 8, and he is a strong T20 hitter who can finish games.

On the other hand, GT’s number 8 is Rashid Khan. Rashid can hit well, but he is not usually expected to finish matches.

This difference is clear in the rest of the middle order too. RCB have Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd, all of whom are ready to attack if the top order struggles.

GT’s middle order includes Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Jason Holder, but their batting has faced criticism this season.

GT vs RCB Head to Head

GT vs RCB Match Preview: Key Players

1. Meanwhile, RCB have relied on their swing bowlers during the powerplay. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood have been important for them.
2. For example, they bowled out the Delhi Capitals quickly just days after DC had scored one of the highest totals in the tournament.
3. Gujarat also depend on Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, who have both bowled well this season. Still, their bowling has some weaknesses.
4. In their first match against RCB this season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, GT lost even though opener Sai Sudharsan scored a century.
5. Some experts praised Sudharsan, but his century at a strike rate of 172 ended up hurting Gujarat more than helping them.
6. Sudharsan kept the GT innings steady while his teammates struggled to score. He faced almost half the balls in 20 overs but barely attacked in his last 15 balls.
7. In the end, GT finished with 205 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In response, RCB attacked right from the start of their chase.
8. Devdutt Padikkal, batting at number 3, hit a six to begin and was eventually out trying for another, after facing far fewer balls than Sudharsan. RCB also had steady batsmen in their innings.
9. Kohli, who was dropped early by Washington Sundar, went on to score 81 from just 44 balls and led the team to a successful chase in less than 17 overs.
10. This highlights the difference between the two teams. Still, Gujarat have won four out of eight matches.
11. Their wins this season have come against Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals, all teams in the lower half of the table.
12. They almost lost to DC, but a big mistake from David Miller saved them. Gujarat will need to improve and play a more modern style if they want to beat RCB today.
13. Their win over CSK came from strong powerplay bowling, with Kagiso Rabada leading the way in Chennai and setting up a big win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. GT left Prasidh Krishna out of that game, and they will likely use the same plan again.
14. Shubman Gill has noted the team’s struggles to finish games with their bowling. It will be interesting to see how they address this in their home match.
15. For RCB, Phil Salt will probably miss another game, so Jacob Bethell will get another chance to open.
16. Bethell hit a few big shots against DC in the last match, but his innings ended early after a great catch by T Natarajan in New Delhi.

GT vs RCB: Pitch Report of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

GT vs RCB Match Preview: The match will be played on the same pitch where RCB won the title last year. This red-soil wicket has favoured fast bowlers all season.

Since both teams have strong bowling attacks, the powerplay could be especially important.

Rabada and Siraj will lead one side, while Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood lead the other, promising an exciting contest.

In 2026, the red-soil pitches in Ahmedabad produced thrilling battles between bat and ball. Fans can expect a similar match on Thursday.

GT vs RCB Playing XI

Gujarat Titans

• Sai Sudharsan
• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Jos Buttler (Wicket keeper)
• Shahrukh Khan
• Washington Sundar
• Jason Holder
• Rahul Tewatia
• Rashid Khan
• Kagiso Rabada
• Mohammed Siraj
• Manav Suthar

Impact player: Arshad Khan

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Virat Kohli
• Jacob Bethell
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Rajat Patidar (Captain)
• Jitesh Sharma (Wicket keeper)
• Tim David
• Romario Shepherd
• Krunal Pandya
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar
• Josh Hazlewood
• Rasikh Salam Dar

Impact player: Suyash Sharma

GT vs RCB Prediction: Which of the Teams Is Likely to Win in Today’s Match?

GT vs RCB Match Preview: Gujarat Titans hold a slight edge, with a 52 percent chance of winning because of their strong bowling lineup.

The pitch has good pace, bounce, and carry, which suits bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.

Rashid Khan’s consistent performance in the middle overs also gives Gujarat an important boost.