The IPL 2026 Qualifiers are in full swing after a demanding Group Stage, with four sides still chasing the league’s biggest prize. On May 26, Gujarat Titans made a high-risk selection by naming Kulwant Khejroliya in their playing XI for Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Shubman Gill. But the move backfired spectacularly at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, where GT were hammered by 92 runs and were left with plenty to ponder heading into their next chance.
Bengaluru had already looked dangerous with the ball at this stage of the campaign, and their bowling attack—powered by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada—played a major role in GT’s downfall. With the bat, RCB then set a massive target, finishing on 254 runs after Rajat Patidar struck an unbeaten 93 off just 33 deliveries. The win was sealed by sustained pressure and a crucial burst of batting that swung the game decisively in Bengaluru’s favour.
Patidar’s innings was backed by skipper Gill, who once again thrived when it mattered most. Alongside Krunal Pandya, Gill struck 28 runs off the over that Khejroliya bowled, a spell that proved to be a turning point. That over has also been recorded as the second-most expensive in IPL playoff history, underlining how damaging that one stretch proved to be for the Titans.
The selection of Khejroliya quickly became the centre of debate for supporters and cricket voices alike, with the momentum shifting sharply away from GT after Bengaluru’s assault. The result means RCB have booked their place in a second straight IPL final, scheduled for May 31, while Gujarat are now forced to regroup for Qualifier 2.
Aakash Chopra questions GT’s Khejroliya call
Former India batter and analyst Aakash Chopra criticised Gujarat’s decision to include the 34-year-old in such a pivotal match. Chopra pointed out that it was Khejroliya’s first appearance of the season in the Qualifier, and argued that the timing of the call was questionable given the pressure of the situation.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “The decision to play Kulwant Khejroliya wasn’t great because you played him his first match of the entire tournament. He bowled a good first over, but he leaked 28 runs in his second over. He was unable to bowl.”
Chopra also questioned the choices made on the day of the match, particularly in relation to Ishant Sharma. He noted that experienced campaigner Ishant was reportedly left out even though regular starter Arshad Khan was unavailable due to injury. Chopra argued that Gujarat had other options from their pace group that could have offered a better fit for the role required in a high-stakes clash.
“Then you think you could have played Ashok Sharma. You didn’t play Arshad Khan. Maybe he was injured, I don’t know. If you were looking for someone, you could have also brought in Ishant Sharma, but you went with Kulwant Khejroliya. He wasn’t given the new ball. It just didn’t work out,” Chopra added.
New-ball role and the impact on GT’s bowling plan
Chopra’s broader point focused on how Khejroliya was used and what that meant for Gujarat’s bowling rhythm. Known for his ability with the new ball, Khejroliya bowled only 2 overs in the match. Instead of being entrusted with an early strike role, he was tasked with dealing with RCB’s destructive middle order later in the innings, while Siraj and Rabada continued to operate as the frontline powerplay options.
As Chopra highlighted, with Arshad Khan out of the selection mix and the team looking for experience, Ishant Sharma’s availability at this stage could have stood out. The 37-year-old has experience from 16 IPL seasons, having played in the inaugural 2008 campaign and taking 96 wickets across 117 appearances, with an economy rate hovering around 8.40.
In T20 cricket, such decisions can become season-defining moments—often turning on fine margins between success and failure. Gujarat Titans will now have a second opportunity in Qualifier 2 to correct the mistakes from their Qualifier 1 loss and fight their way into the 2026 final. There, they will face the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
