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RCB vs GT Qualifier 1: IPL 2026 Just before the first qualifier match, a big news is coming from the camp of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). RCB’s star opener and wicketkeeper Phil Salt will not take the field in this great match against Gujarat Titans (GT) at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Salt suffered a finger injury in the early stages of the season, due to which he has been away from cricket for more than a month. Recently he went to England for treatment of his injury and joined the team back only last week. However, after his fitness test, the RCB management has decided that it will take some more time for 29-year-old Salt to become match fit.

Venkatesh Iyer will handle the responsibility of opening

In the absence of Phil Salt, captain Rajat Patidar has once again expressed confidence in Venkatesh Iyer, who has been in excellent form in the last few matches. Venkatesh has scored 158 runs in 5 matches this season at a tremendous strike rate of 177.52. With his aggressive style, veteran batsman Virat Kohli will get full opportunity to establish his foot on the crease and weave his innings.

RCB strengthened with the entry of foreign fast bowler

Salt’s absence has given RCB an opportunity to include an additional foreign fast bowler in their playing eleven, who can prove to be very effective on the Dharamshala pitch. The team has given a chance to Jacob Duffy. Now the trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy is ready to create trouble for the Gujarat batsmen with the new ball.

Who won the toss?

In Dharamshala, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first. Gujarat have included Kulwant Khejroliya in place of Arshad Khan, while their eyes are on reaching the final for the third time in 5 years. On the other hand, defending champion and table-topper RCB has taken two surprising decisions. Venkatesh Iyer will open in place of injured opener Phil Salt, while fast bowler Jacob Duffy has got a chance in the playing-11. In this great match, eyes will also be on Virat Kohli, who is just 43 runs away from a big record.

Playing XI of both the teams

Gujarat Titans (GT): Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasik Salaam Dar.

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