Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set the tone in Qualifier One of the Indian Premier League 2026, posting 76 for 1 in the opening six overs against Gujarat Titans at Dharamsala on Tuesday. The tally represented the second-biggest powerplay total Gujarat have conceded this year, trailing only the 78 for 3 produced by Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur earlier in the campaign. Gujarat captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to field first versus the defending champions RCB. The stakes are straightforward: the winner books a spot in the final, while the team that loses will take on the winner of the Eliminator—featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals—in Qualifier Two.
RCB arrived at Qualifier One as the standings leaders, having finished the league phase with nine wins, five defeats and 18 points. Gujarat Titans also ended the league stage with nine victories and 18 points, but they finished second due to their superior net run rate. For this match, Gujarat made a bowling change by bringing in left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya, who replaced Arshad Khan. RCB kept faith with the same opening combination of Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer that they had used in their most recent league outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. England batter Phil Salt, who had recently returned to the squad after recovering from a finger injury, did not feature and continues his work toward full match fitness.
RCB began their innings with intent. Venkatesh Iyer attacked Mohammed Siraj from the first over, striking three boundaries before the pressure eased slightly. Although Venkatesh was dismissed in the second over by Kagiso Rabada, RCB maintained momentum through Kohli and No. 3 batter Devdutt Padikkal. Padikkal punished Rabada with three straight fours in the fourth over, helping RCB add 18 runs in that phase. In Rabada’s next spell—the final powerplay over—Kohli struck two fours and a six, ensuring RCB reached 76 for 1 at the end of six overs.
Highest powerplay totals in IPL knockouts/playoffs
- 100/2 – Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, Wankhede, 2014
- 84/1 – Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Capitals, Centurion, 2009
- 79/0 – Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans, New Chandigarh, 2025
- 76/1 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, Dharamsala, 2026
