The IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 is here — Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, Tuesday, May 26, Dharamshala. Two teams. Eighteen points each. One direct ticket to the Ahmedabad final on May 31.
If you’re searching for RCB vs GT live, head-to-head, playing11, pitch report, stats, timeline, where to watch & prediction everything on the line — you’re in the right place.
RCB and GT finished the IPL 2026 league stage level on 18 points — separated only by net run rate, with RCB claiming the top spot. Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala sends the winner straight to the May 31 final in Ahmedabad.
What makes this one different is the rivalry sitting underneath it. Once RCB leads head-to-head 4–3 across seven meetings, but the last home win of GT makes it 4-4.
Eight clashes, eight decisions. Virat Kohli owns this rivalry with a century and four fifties. On the other end, Shubman Gill’s 104* off 52 balls remains the highest individual score between these two sides — a captain’s knock that still stings RCB fans.
RCB are playing like a well-oiled unit with no stark loopholes; GT bring a stellar bowling lineup alongside a reliable top three. So this isn’t just a playoff match — it’s two of the tournament’s sharpest teams colliding for the first time in a knockout game.
The one who blinks first doesn’t just lose a match. They lose that direct path to the trophy.
Where to Watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Qualifie 1 Match
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans |
| Stadium | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
| Date & Time | Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 P.M. (IST) |
| Live Streaming | Jio Hotstar |
RCB vs GT Head-to-Head Records
| Matches | 8 |
| GT Wons | 4 |
| RCB Won | 4 |
| No Result | Nil |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | GT 3, RCB 2 |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | GT 1, RCB 1 |
| Neutral | GT 0, RCB 1 |
GT vs RCB Pitch Report
The pitch at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is very fast and bouncy. This helps pace bowlers a lot, especially at the start when the ball swings in the cool air.
Spinners find it harder to take wickets here because the ball does not turn much. Most batters love this pitch because the ball comes onto the bat nicely for big shots. In the 2026 season, the average score on this ground is a high 205-210 runs.
Teams that bat second have a much better chance of winning. Out of all the games played here in 2026, chasing teams won twice while defending teams only once.
This makes the toss very important for the captains. If a team wins the toss, they will likely choose to bowl first to take advantage of the dew later in the night.
Weather Report
The temperature will hover around 22-23 degrees Celsius at match time in Dhasramshala. The humidity level will be around 16%-19% during the match. The comfortable and dry weather will wait for the players and fans.
The wind will be blowing from the North-northeast at 13 km/h. That will add some feel-good factor for the spectators. The rain will not interrupt the game.
GT vs RCB Playing 11(Probable)
For GT
Shubman Gill(C), S SaiSudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player – Prasidh Krishna / Shahrukh Khan / Manav Suthar / R Sai Kishore
For RCB
Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer / Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam
Impact Player – Suyash Sharma / Jacob Duffy
Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
| Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2026 | GT | 4 Wkts | Ahmedabad |
| 24 Apr 2026 | RCB | 5 Wkts | Bengaluru |
| 02 Apr 2025 | GT | 8 Wkts | Bengaluru |
| 04 May 2024 | RCB | 4 Wkts | Bengaluru |
| 28 Apr 2024 | RCB | 9 Wkts | Ahmedabad |
| 21 May 2023 | GT | 6 Wkts | Bengaluru |
| 19 May 2022 | RCB | 8 Wkts | Mumbai (W) |
| 30 Apr 2022 | GT | 6 Wkts | Mumbai (B) |
Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Stats
- RCB posted the highest team total in this fixture with 206 runs.
- RCB’s Virat Kohli averages an incredible 114.67 when playing against the Titans.
- The chasing side has won every single game between these two teams.
- Sai Sudharsan reached 2,000 runs faster than any player during this rivalry.
- Titans have never beaten RCB when Virat Kohli scores a half-century.
GT vs RCB Prediction
RCB is the hot team heading into Qualifier 1. They have won four of their last five matches. This game is at their home field, which is great for hitters. Fans expect many big shots and a high score.
RCB has a big edge because their top hitters, like Kohli and Patidar, are in great form. Statistically, GT has struggled early in games. They lose players in the first few minutes much more often than RCB.
RCB has also gotten much better at stopping runs lately. If RCB’s stars play well at the start, they should win this big match and head to the finals.
Prediction: RCB won by 4 wickets or 5-6 runs.
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