Kulwant Khejroliya Jason Holder for GT. Image Credits: AP
Left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya played his first game in the IPL 2026 season for the Gujarat Titans as they faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Qualifier 1 on May 26, 2026. This game was played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
Gujarat Titans (GT) captain started on the right foot, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in Dharamshala, known to be a good chasing ground. GT fancied their chances with their batting in good form.
Rajat Patidar helps Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record total
Royal Challengers Bengaluru knew that they needed to post a good total on the board and showed intention of doing the same. Virat Kohli made 43 and Devdutt Padikkal made 30 in just 19 balls. But it was Rajat Patidar who propelled RCB to a record total in IPL playoffs.
Patidar smashed 9 sixes and 5 fours in his 93* knock. He got support from Krunal Pandya, who made 43 as well and took RCB to 254/5 in 20 overs.
Also Read: All Players To Get Hit Wicket In IPL History Ft. Sai Sudharsan
Gujarat Titans’ chase falls flat against disciplined RCB bowling
Sai Sudharsan started well, hitting 14 runs with some brilliant shots, while Shubman Gill got out for a single-digit score to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Though Rahul Tewatia’s 68 runs took Titans to 162, they lost the game by 92 runs, while RCB qualified for the IPL 2026 final.
One of the surprising inclusions in the GT squad for the game was pacer Kulwant Khejroliya, who was brought into the playing XI. This was his first game for GT in the IPL 2026, and the nerves showed.
Kulwant Khejroliya’s inclusion in GT XI explained by Glenn Phillips
Kulwant Khejroliya bowled an excellent first over, giving away just 3 runs, but was taken to the cleaners by Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya when he came to bowl his second over. Kulwant Khejroliya was taken for 28 runs, comprising four fours and one six, apart from one wide and two no-balls.
Gujarat Titans all-rounder Glenn Phillips was asked about Kulwant Khejroliya’s inclusion in the Gujarat Titans XI and explained the logic behind the decision.
“That came from the coaching staff and what they have seen Kulwant do in training, and he's a phenomenal bowler. He has got great skills and showed those skills in the first over, as we all saw. "
"Unfortunately, it didn't pay off in the second over, but pressure of the game can do that to someone, and the coaching staff have full faith in everybody. They'd have a conversation with Kulwant for sure, and he would be fully prepared to do the job,” Glenn Phillips said in the post-match press conference.
Gujarat Titans to now play in Qualifier 2 for a chance to make it into the final
Gujarat Titans will have another opportunity to make it to the IPL 2026 finals even if they lose the first qualifier to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In Qualifier 2, they will now play the victor of the IPL 2026 Eliminator match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
The Qualifier 2 will take place in Mullanpur on May 29, 2026, and the Eliminator game on May 27, 2026. However, RCB has advanced to the final, which will take place on May 31 in Ahmedabad.
Also Read: Fact Check- Did Umpire Anil Chaudhary Count Sai Sudharsan's Dismissal Unfair?
