Defending champions RCB will face GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. PC- ipl.com
Under the astute leadership of Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have again qualified for the playoffs.
The defending champions will not just play another knockout; they have finished at the top of the IPL 2026 Points Table and will play the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1.
In 19 seasons, RCB have made the playoffs 11 times, the joint second most by a team in history. Meanwhile, out of those many times, they have reached Qualifier 1 on four occasions.
IPL 2011, Qualifier 1: Virat Kohli show went in vain vs CSK
The fourth season of the IPL was the first edition when the concept of Qualifiers and Eliminator was introduced to the lucrative league. RCB, under Daniel Vettori, finished at the top of the Points Table, with 19 points after 14 matches.
They faced the eventual winners, Chennai Super Kings, in Qualifier 1, where a Virat Kohli classic of 70 not out took them to 175/4 at the Wankhede Stadium. However, Suresh Raina bettered VK with his sublime 73* as the CSK chased down the target with 2 balls remaining.
Later in the finale, the two teams met, and CSK again toppled Bengaluru in a low-scoring game in Chennai.
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IPL 2016, Qualifier 1: AB de Villiers' all-timer took RCB to final
RCB had a heartbreak for years to come in IPL, when they lost the final to SRH in a manner not many could have imagined. However, before that, they faced the Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 1.
The Virat Kohli-led side was asked to chase down a target of 159 runs, after Dwayne Smith's 73 took the opposition to a good position. In the chase, RCB were reduced to 29/5 and then 68/6, but AB de Villiers' magnificent 79*, alongside Iqbal Abdulla, took them home.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: When RCB dismantled PBKS
It was IPL 2025 when RCB lifted their maiden silverware, with Rajat Patidar leading them in the lucrative league for the first time ever. Under his astute leadership, they played like a champion side, and finished second with 19 points in 14 matches.
The eventual winners faced Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 then. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma bagged three wickets each, while Yash Dayal snapped two wickets. As a result, Punjab were bowled out for 101 runs, and RCB chased down the target without breaking a sweat, thanks to Phil Salt's half-century.
The two teams again met in the mega clash, with Bengaluru beating PBKS by six runs. Virat Kohli again was the highest scorer for RCB (43). While the real heroes were Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for their two-wicket hauls.
RCB's overall records in Qualifier 1 in IPL history
Conclusion by Arjun
RCB have had a good track record in Qualifier 1, winning two of three matches. Moreover, they finished at the top of the IPL 2026 Points Table, which would boost their confidence ahead of Qualifier 1 against GT this season.
Meanwhile, RCB and GT have a head-to-head record of four each. In IPL 2026, the two have met twice, with both winning a game, making this rivalry more intriguing.
Thus, IPL 2026, Qualifier 1 between Bengaluru and Gujarat at Dharamsala will be a fitting game.
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