Dharamshala: Amid the pleasant atmosphere of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will clash today from 7:30 PM, but one major factor could decide Bengaluru’s fate. If this one player performs well, only then will RCB have a strong chance of winning. Surprisingly, it is neither Virat Kohli nor Rajat Patidar, but a premier pace bowler.
If Bhuvneshwar Kumar fails to deliver as expected today, Bengaluru could find it extremely difficult to win. Gujarat Titans will be playing in Dharamshala for the very first time. Moreover, this is also the first-ever playoff meeting between the two teams.
Winner Today Goes Straight to the Final
Today’s match is the first playoff encounter — Qualifier 1. The winning team between Gujarat and Bengaluru will directly qualify for Sunday’s final. The losing side, however, will get another chance and will play in Qualifier 2 on Friday against the winner of the Eliminator. Hyderabad and Rajasthan are set to face each other in Wednesday’s Eliminator.
Gujarat became champions in their debut season in 2022, while Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL title in 2025 after an 18-year wait. Both teams now have the opportunity to win their second trophy.
Bhuvneshwar and Rabada Lead With 24 Wickets Each
Today’s contest also features the tournament’s two leading pace bowlers. Just like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Gujarat pacer Kagiso Rabada too has taken 24 wickets in 14 matches. Both star bowlers will look to outshine each other in this crucial clash.
Why Is Bhuvneshwar the Most Important Player?
Bhuvneshwar has been performing exceptionally well for Bengaluru over the last two years. By striking early and removing one or more top-order batters soon after the innings begins, he reduces nearly half the pressure on RCB.
In the first meeting against Gujarat this season, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Jos Buttler early, though Gujarat still managed 205 runs. Later, Virat Kohli’s 81-run knock guided Bengaluru to victory.
In the second encounter in April, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler, but Bengaluru suffered defeat because of poor batting. In that spell, he bowled 11 dot balls in three overs and claimed three wickets for just 28 runs.
RCB also have wicket-taking bowlers like Rasikh Salam, Krunal Pandya, Jacob Duffy, and Suyash Sharma, but none possess the same impact as Bhuvneshwar.
On the other hand, Gujarat too boast a formidable bowling attack. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Kishore, and Manav Suthar are capable of troubling Bengaluru’s batting lineup. Spinner Rashid Khan had taken a combined 19 wickets across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, while this season alone he has already picked up 19 wickets in 14 matches.
Gujarat’s top three batters — Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler — are in excellent form. If Bengaluru’s bowlers can contain them, RCB could book a direct place in the final today.
Probable XIs
Gujarat Titans:
Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and (Impact Player) Prasidh Krishna/Sai Kishore, Manav Suthar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt/Venkatesh, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy/Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood and (Impact Player) Rasikh Salam.