Last Updated on 27 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

Want a quick edge for today’s Dream11 contest? SPODA AI’s model has already highlighted the key upside picks for this match.

Get 3 FREE MATCH PASSES to see them. You can sign up below.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026. HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, will host this game on 26th May 2026 at 7:30 PM IST.

After an action-packed league stage, we are now in the business end of the tournament. RCB and GT won one game each during the league stages against each other, and both have strong cases to win this tournament.

RCB has been in terrific form. They finished at the top of the table with nine wins in 14 games. The batters have been in top form while the bowlers have also been solid. The only concern will be the form of Jitesh Sharma and Suyash Sharma, who are two important players regarding their team balance.

GT have also been magnificent. They have won six of their last seven matches and will be eager to cement their place in the IPL Final. Their bowling attack is the main reason for their top-notch performance this year. Kagiso Rabada, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna form the strongest bowling unit of the tournament. 

Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler have been in top form with the bat, and Washington Sundar has also done a great job at number four. GT relies very heavily on their top 3 while batting, and that can backfire if they are dismissed early. 

IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: RCB vs GT Probable Playing XIIs

Both sides are expected to be unchanged, but Phil Salt, if fit, should replace Venkatesh Iyer for RCB. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Devdutt Padikkal, 4. Rajat Patidar (c), 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Tim David, 7. Romario Shepherd, 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Rasikh Salam Dar, 11. Josh Hazlewood. 12. Suyash Sharma

Gujarat Titans: 1. Shubman Gill (c), 2. Sai Sudharsan, 3. Jos Buttler (wk), 4.  Washington Sundar, 5. Nishant Sindhu, 6. Jason Holder, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Arshad Khan, 10.  Kagiso Rabada, 11. Mohammed Siraj, 12. Prasidh Krishna

HPCA Stadium Dharamsala Pitch Report and Weather

There will be ample help for the pacers with the new ball. But apart from that, the batters will dominate the match. The ball travels more at high altitude, so chasing will be a better option for this match. The average first innings score at Dharamasala has been 210 runs this season. 

It will be a clear day with no chance of rain, and the temperature will be 17 degrees Celsius. Dew may be a factor, but conditions will anyway get better while chasing.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for RCB vs GT: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:  

• Jos Buttler has 469 runs in 14 matches with four fifties to his name. He is a crucial batter for GT at number 3, as he can play according to the situation or can keep the tempo going if they get off to a good start. Buttler will be a good C/VC option too.

Key batter picks: 

• Virat Kohli has four fifties and a century in 14 matches this season, and he averages 50.63 at a strike rate of 163.82 for his 557 runs. Kohli has played well this season, and he’ll be a great C/VC option, especially while chasing.
• Rajat Patidar looked a little rusty in the last game, but he’s another top batter for his side. He can take down the bowlers in the middle overs and give the upper hand to the defending champions. Rajat has four fifties and 393 runs in 14 matches to date.
• Shubman Gill is another no-brainer for this match. He is batting brilliantly, scoring runs for fun. Gill has 616 runs in 13 matches so far at an average of 47.38 with six fifties to his name. He plays risk-free cricket and scores big on his day. Gill will be an ideal captain choice for this match.
• Sai Sudharsan is currently the highest run-scorer of this season with 638 runs in 14 matches, including seven fifties and a century. He has scored 50 or more in more than 50% of his innings in IPL 2026. Sai likes to hold one end play throughout. This makes him an ideal C/VC pick.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Jason Holder has 13 wickets in eight matches. He has picked up wickets in every match and has been a key player for the Titans. Holder is capable with the bat as well, and he can exploit the conditions with the new ball at Dharamsala. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Kagiso Rabada is the joint-highest wicket-taker of this season with 24 wickets to his name. He has picked up wickets for fun with the new ball and is the main reason for GT’s success with the ball. Rabada against RCB’s top order will be a great battle, and he will be a must in your fantasy teams.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 24 wickets in 14 matches, and he’s the backbone of RCB’s bowling. He is swinging the new ball and has been perfectly accurate with his line lengths and spot-on with his planning. Bhuvi will bowl the key overs for RCB.

Want a sharper edge on Dream11? SPODA AI gives you data‑backed player insights, captaincy recommendations, and match‑specific predictions to help you build winning teams.

Sign up and get 3 FREE match passes to test it for your next Dream11 contests.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams 

• Prasidh Krishna
• Mohammed Siraj
• Tim David 
• Rashid Khan
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Phil Salt (if plays)

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Head to Head: 8 matches; RCB 4 and GT 4. 
• Virat Kohli vs. Kagiso Rabada (T20s): 79 runs, 4 dismissals in 51 deliveries.
• Virat Kohli vs. Prasidh Krishna (T20s): 69 runs, 3 dismissals in 41 deliveries.
• Devdutt Padikkal vs. Rashid Khan (T20s): 38 runs, 5 dismissals in 41 deliveries.
• Shubman Gill vs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (T20s): 80 runs, 5 dismissals in 74 deliveries.
• Jos Buttler vs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (T20s): 75 runs, 4 dismissals in 68 deliveries.

IPL 2026 34th Match: RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today

Want to enter paid fantasy cricket contests? We’ve partnered with MyRex11, a trusted UAE‑based platform built for fantasy players.

iPhone users, download the app here.
Android users, download the app here.

Please play responsibly and within your limits.

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 34th Match: RCB vs GT Match Prediction: Who will win?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the favourites to win this game but they’ll have to bowl well, especially against GT’s top 3. The Titans have a great bowling unit and an in-form top 3, but they are heavily reliant on their openers and Buttler with the ball.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win this match.

——-

Affiliate disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which means CricBlog will earn a commission if you make a deposit or purchase through them. These partnerships help support the work that goes into creating this content, but they never influence analysis, recommendations, or editorial independence. CricBlog only promotes brands and products that are safe to use with customer support available. Read our Editorial Policy for more information.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.