IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strongest predicted XI against Gujarat Titans

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2026 on Tuesday, May 26, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

The defending champions finished on top of the table with 18 points from 14 games. They come off a defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a dead rubber contest, which did not significantly deter their playoff places. They will be looking to seal their place in the final early with a victory, which would give them time to regroup before the big clash. They have faced the Titans twice this season, winning once and losing once.

Here is RCB’s strongest predicted XI for Qualifier vs GT:

Top order: Venkatesh Iyer/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, 

Virat Kohli has once again been the defending champions’ most prolific batter in the season. The talismanic batter has scored 557 runs at a strike rate of 163.82. He has altered his template to go after the bowling from the get-go and is striking at 165.3 in the first six overs, the highest of his storied IPL career. He has notched up four half-centuries and one century this season. Who partners with him on the day is still up for debate. Venkatesh Iyer has reliably filled in for RCB and scored a blistering 19-ball 44 at the top of the order against SRH. He will be expected to keep the slot, provided Phil Salt has yet to be cleared to play. Salt has scored 202 runs at a strike rate of 168.33, but has missed the latter half of the season with a finger injury.

Devdutt Padikkal has been one of the most improved players in IPL 2026. The hometown southpaw has scored 433 runs at a blistering strike rate of 171.82, having improved his game against pace and spin considerably. He has looked in great touch all season, with beautiful stroke play and has dominated spinners and pacers alike. He has scored three half-centuries and has been a consistent presence at number 3.

Middle order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David (Impact), Romario Shepherd, 

Captain Rajat Patidar has had a brilliant season with the bat, playing as the reliable enforcer in the middle order for the team. He has scored 393 runs at a whopping strike rate of 183.64, with four half-centuries. A feared spin-hitter, the skipper has taken his intent up by multiple gears, striking at 201.9 against spin. But what has improved is his strike rate against pace, scoring at a whopping 177.5, a significant increase from previous seasons. Jitesh Sharma has yet to have a significant contribution with the bat, but has been a brilliant presence with the gloves.

Tim David has had a brilliant season as a finisher, scoring 277 runs at a whopping strike rate of 197.85. He has significantly improved his hitting abilities against spin and has shown why he is such a feared customer in the shortest format. Roario Shepherd has had a quiet season, without notable performances with bat and ball, but he has been a handy sixth bowler, and at his best, his abilities with the bat are feared across the T20 circuit.

Lower order/bowlers: Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar.

Krunal Pandya has been Mr Reliable for the defending champions, contributing with both bat and ball. He has picked up 11 wickets with the ball at an economy of 8.97, and has been a solid defensive bowler. He has scored 182 runs at a strike rate of 145.60, which included a brilliant 73 against the Mumbai Indians, which rescued the team in a low-scoring thriller. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the IPL wickets charts with 24 scalps at a brilliant economy of 8.07. He has once again emerged as a feared powerplay specialist, with 15 of his scalps coming in the powerplay. He has also been difficult to score off in the death, bowling with great accuracy and control.

Josh Hazlewood has not had a season up to his lofty standards after returning from injuries which kept him out of action since late 2025. He has picked up 12 wickets in 11 games, going at an economy of 9.60. Suyash Sharma has filled in reliably as the second spinner, picking up nine wickets in 12 games. Rasikh Salam Dar has filled in brilliantly as RCB’s third seamer, picking up 14 wickets in 10 games and bowling at an economy of 9.87.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) strongest predicted XI for Qualifier 1 vs GT

Venkatesh Iyer/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar

Impact Player: Tim David