Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a flying start against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, thanks to an explosive cameo from Venkatesh Iyer. The left-handed batter attacked from the very first over, smashing 14 runs with three boundaries to put the GT bowlers immediately under pressure at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
However, Gujarat Titans pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada responded brilliantly in the second over to swing momentum back in his team’s favour. After being struck for a six earlier in the over, Rabada cleverly adjusted his length and pace before dismissing Iyer with a stunning return catch.
The RCB batter departed after scoring a quickfire 19 off just seven balls, but his aggressive intent had already set the tone for Bengaluru’s innings. Kagiso Rabada’s early breakthrough also helped him script IPL history. The South African fast bowler became the player with the most wickets taken during the Powerplay in a single IPL season.
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With 18 wickets inside the first six overs in IPL 2026, Rabada went past Mohammed Shami’s previous record of 17 wickets set in 2023. The high-pressure Qualifier 1 clash carried added significance given the evenly balanced rivalry between the two franchises.
SIX, annnd OUT! ☝️
🎥 Kagiso Rabada cranks up the pace to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer 🔥👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/9rs6u5obOw#TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/GzXmR4AtqS
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans entered the game with a 4-4 head-to-head record, while every previous meeting between the two sides had been won by the team chasing. After winning the toss, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl first and also made one change to the playing XI, bringing in Kulwant Khejroliya in place of Arshad Khan.
Despite losing Venkatesh Iyer early, RCB continued their aggressive approach through Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. While fans eagerly anticipated the much-talked-about battle between Kohli and Rabada, it was Padikkal who counterattacked brilliantly against the GT pacers.
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The Kohli-Padikkal partnership shifted pressure back onto the Gujarat Titans as the duo raced to a fifty-run stand in just 23 deliveries. Kohli looked particularly confident against Rabada, and together the pair powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 76 for one at the end of the Powerplay — the highest six-over total recorded in IPL 2026 so far.
