RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: Patidar and Krunal Power RCB After Start

The much-awaited IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash between and at the beautiful HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala turned into a complete entertainer on Tuesday evening. With a direct place in the IPL final on the line, both teams came in with full intensity, and fans got to witness a proper playoff thriller right from the beginning.

After 13 overs, RCB reached 128/3, thanks to a brilliant partnership between captain Rajat Patidar and experienced all-rounder Krunal Pandya. At one stage, Gujarat Titans looked like they were slowly getting control of the match, but the RCB middle order fought back aggressively and completely shifted the pressure back onto GT.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electric. Fans wearing red and blue jerseys filled the stands, waving flags and chanting loudly every time RCB found the boundary. Dharamsala’s cool weather and mountain backdrop only added more beauty to this massive playoff showdown.

Gujarat Titans Start Well After Winning Toss

GT skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first, hoping the fresh Dharamsala pitch would help the fast bowlers during the early overs. For a few moments, the plan looked decent as Gujarat bowlers kept things tight in the opening deliveries.

But RCB’s batting lineup had come with a very attacking mindset.

The Bengaluru openers wasted no time and immediately started putting pressure on the bowlers. Virat Kohli looked extremely confident from ball one, while Devdutt Padikkal played his shots freely without showing any fear.

Both batters attacked the powerplay brilliantly and smashed boundaries almost every over. Gujarat Titans bowlers suddenly looked under pressure as RCB crossed the 70-run mark inside the first six overs, which became one of their best powerplay performances in IPL playoff history.

Virat Kohli Once Again Delivers On The Big Stage

Whenever there is a pressure match, Virat Kohli somehow manages to lift his game to another level, and this match was no different. The former RCB captain looked in complete control while batting.

He played classy cover drives, flicks, and pull shots that had the crowd cheering loudly. Kohli rotated strike smartly and punished every loose delivery. It felt like he was preparing for another iconic playoff knock.

Fans on social media immediately started praising his aggressive intent because he didn’t allow Gujarat bowlers to settle even for a second.

However, just when RCB looked ready to dominate completely, GT finally got a breakthrough. Kohli’s wicket gave Gujarat Titans a little breathing space and slowed the run flow for a short period.

Still, the damage had already been done during the powerplay.

Devdutt Padikkal Continues His Superb Season

While Kohli grabbed most of the attention, Devdutt Padikkal quietly played another very valuable innings for Bengaluru. The stylish left-hander looked comfortable from the start and attacked both pacers and spinners confidently.

Padikkal especially looked dangerous against anything short or wide. He timed the ball beautifully and kept the scoreboard moving quickly.

His quick innings helped RCB maintain momentum even after the first wicket. Gujarat Titans eventually managed to dismiss him through Jason Holder, but by then Padikkal had already given Bengaluru a strong foundation.

This season has been quite impressive for Padikkal, and once again he proved why RCB management has shown so much trust in him.

Gujarat Titans Try To Make A Comeback

After taking a couple of wickets, Gujarat Titans slowly started coming back into the game. Their bowlers tried using slower balls, yorkers, and different field placements to stop RCB from scoring freely.

For a few overs, Bengaluru’s scoring speed dropped slightly, and GT fans finally started feeling hopeful again.

But the match changed once Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya settled at the crease.

Patidar and Krunal Completely Shift Momentum

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar looked calm under pressure and played exactly the kind of innings his team needed. Instead of throwing his wicket away, he focused on smart cricket while still finding boundaries regularly.

Krunal Pandya, meanwhile, brought pure aggression.

The left-hander started attacking almost immediately after arriving at the crease. He played fearless shots against pace bowlers and didn’t hesitate to go after the spinners either.

One particular six from Krunal became the talking point of the innings when he scooped the ball over the wicketkeeper for a stunning maximum. The shot completely lifted the energy inside the stadium and put Gujarat Titans back under pressure.

Patidar and Krunal rotated strike beautifully and also punished bad deliveries regularly. Their partnership helped RCB cross 120 quickly and once again shifted momentum toward Bengaluru.

At 128/3 after 13 overs, RCB looked set for a huge total somewhere close to 190 or even 200 if they finished strongly.

Gujarat Titans Still Dangerous

Even though RCB gained momentum, Gujarat Titans are still very much alive in this contest. Their bowling attack has delivered under pressure many times this season, and they have enough experience to pull things back in the death overs.

Jason Holder looked impressive with the ball, while Prasidh Krishna also tried mixing his pace smartly.

GT know that restricting RCB below 190 could still give them a strong chance during the chase because their batting lineup has several match-winners like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia.

So the game is far from over.

Huge Stakes In This Playoff Battle

This match is extremely important because the winner directly enters the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.

RCB finished at the top of the points table this season thanks to their better net run rate, while Gujarat Titans also had an excellent campaign and looked like one of the strongest teams throughout the tournament.

That’s exactly why this playoff clash has attracted so much attention from cricket fans all over the world.

Every run, every wicket, and every over is now becoming more important as both teams fight for a place in the grand finale.

Fans Enjoying A Proper IPL Classic

So far, the match has delivered everything fans expect from a big IPL playoff game — explosive batting, pressure moments, loud crowds, and nonstop drama.

RCB supporters are hoping their team can finally continue the momentum toward another title run, while GT fans still believe their side can bounce back strongly in the second innings.

With plenty of overs still remaining and power hitters yet to come, the match remains completely open.

One thing is certain — cricket fans are witnessing another memorable IPL night in Dharamsala.