Phil Salt Returns? RCB Strongest XI Vs GT For IPL 2026, Qualifier 1

RCB Playing XI vs GT, IPL 2026, Qualifier 1. Image Credits- AP

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will take on fellow one-time champions, Gujarat Titans (GT), in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) on Tuesday (May 26) at Dharamsala.

Both teams have met twice in the tournament, with each team winning once. However, with the league stage over, all games from here on are completely different contests.

The Rajat Patidar-led team is coming off a defeat in their final league match, when SRH thrashed them by 55 runs. Bowlers had a flop show against the Orange Army's gung-ho batters. RCB tried their best in the chase of 256 runs, with Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya scoring big. But they got folded for 200 runs.

Ahead of Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026, let us look at the best-suited RCB Playing XI vs GT for the conditions in Dharamsala.

RCB Playing XI vs GT, IPL 2026, Qualifier 1

Top Order: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal

Cometh the hour, cometh the man - so is the case for Virat Kohli in big matches. Although the King was dismissed for 15 runs vs SRH, he has scored over 550 runs this season at a strike rate of 164. He will be the biggest name in the RCB Playing XI vs GT.

Kohli's designated at RCB, Phil Salt, has landed in India to join the squad, but it is highly unlikely that the Englishman will play in Qualifier 1. He has yet to recover from his finger injury. With Venkatesh Iyer scoring a blistering 44 off 19 balls in the previous game, the team management will look to continue with the southpaw.

Devdutt Padikkal has been consistently scoring runs this season, but he missed an opportunity in the last league game. He will retain his place in the RCB Playing XI.

Also Read: RCB's Yash Dayal Breaks Silence For First Time After IPL 2026 Snub

Middle Order & All Rounders: Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

Rajat Patidar has been the backbone of the RCB batting this season. He scored a half-century against Hyderabad, but he started off rather cautiously. Having said that, he will remain a mainstay in the RCB Playing XI after a record shattering evening against SRH.

Tim David has scored close to 300 runs in IPL 2026 at a whopping strike rate of 200. The finisher has been in incredible form in recent years. Thus, he is a key part of the RCB Playing XI vs GT in Qualifier 1.

Jitesh Sharma's form has a worrying factor for Bengaluru. He didn't get to bat in the last two games, but the wicketkeeper batter will be a crucial part of the RCB vs GT.

Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya have been core players of the RCB Playing XI, contributing as the two all-rounder. The spinner has been a go-to wicket-taker, while the fast bowling all-rounder has started to come good of late.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam

IPL 2026 will go down as the Bhuvneshwar Kumar season. The veteran bowler has taken 24 wickets in 14 innings at an extraordinary economy of 8.07, but he went for 0/51 vs SRH. RCB will need their key wicket-taker to perform in the RCB Playing XI vs GT.

Josh Hazlewood has had his moments this season, but he has been far from being HazleGod. However, the Aussie seamer is known for performing in big stages, just like he did in IPL 2025’s Qualifier 1.

Rasikh Salam’s style of bowling will be well-suited for Dharamsala’s conditions. The last time he played at the venue, the right-arm speedster bagged three wickets. So, he will be an important asset in the RCB Playing XI.

Suyash Sharma is a genuine wicket-taker in the RCB Playing XI, and his partnership with Krunal Pandya in the middle overs is simply outstanding. The leg-spinner knows how to turn tables around for RCB. Thus, he will play a key part in Qualifier 1, but as an Impact Player.

RCB Playing XI vs GT- Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.