NEW DELHI: The stage is set for the biggest clash of the Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday. The winner will seal a direct berth in the final, while the losing side will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.Ahead of the high-stakes clash, GT assistant coach Vijay Dahiya described the encounter as a true battle between two quality teams.“The moment you say battle, yes, it’s got to be a battle, it’s between those two teams we have met twice in this edition and it’s 1-1, both of them are really good sides. Yeah, you can say that and equally matched, some big players on both sides and both the teams play as a unit, I think that’s what stands out about both the teams,” GT assistant coach Vijay Dahiya said ahead of the clash.RCB and GT finished first and second respectively on the points table with 18 points each, separated only by net run rate. The two teams have also shared honours 1-1 this season, while their overall head-to-head record stands level at 4-4.While RCB are eyeing back-to-back IPL titles after ending their long wait for the trophy last season, GT are hoping to recreate the magic of their dream debut campaign in 2022 when they lifted the title in their maiden season.Bowling units could decide Qualifier 1Both teams boast explosive batting line-ups, but Dahiya believes bowling could play the decisive role in the knockout clash.The top two spots in the leading wicket-takers’ list are occupied by bowlers from RCB and GT.RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and GT speedster Kagiso Rabada have picked up 24 wickets each this season and will carry the responsibility of leading their respective bowling attacks in the big game.“I think at the end of the day, you see teams putting a run on the board, but in the end you have to have a solid bowling unit and that’s what is there. But the other thing which is very important if you see in both the sides, the consistency as far as the bowling unit is concerned, it’s very much there.“And that self-belief in the bowlers and the belief by the captain or the management in those bowlers or bowling unit, you hardly see any change in both the sides and I think that’s what pays.”Kohli, Gill and Sai Sudharsan in focusDahiya also highlighted the importance of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan ahead of the blockbuster clash.Kohli has been in sublime touch this season, scoring 557 runs in 14 matches at an average of 50.63 and a strike rate of 163.82. He also has one century and four half-centuries to his name.On the other hand, Gill and Sudharsan are the top two run-getters in the tournament so far. Gill has amassed 616 runs in 13 matches at an average of 47.38 and a strike rate of 161.67, while Sudharsan has scored 638 runs at an average of 49.08 and a strike rate of 157.92.“Absolutely, these three are going to play a very very crucial role and one thing that you mentioned, good you mentioned these three names, and that tells you that if you are technically very strong and mentally as well, all three names, if you want to put them in grade, they are there. Very very mentally strong and they can change the game according to the format.“This is what they have done. But you have to have that in you to change according to the situation, according to the format and all three have done that.”The former India wicketkeeper-batter also had special praise for GT skipper Gill.“Virat Kohli has done more than anyone else in this because he has played much more than the other two names that you sent.“But this season the way Shubham Gill has played, I think he tells you how strong he is, not only technically, but mentally as well and can change his game according to the situation and according to the demand of the format as well.”Big praise for SirajDahiya reserved special praise for GT pacer Mohammed Siraj, who has been one of the standout bowlers of the season.Siraj has claimed 17 wickets in 14 matches this season and has consistently troubled batters with his variations and aggressive bowling.“One thing you said, the kind of character that he is, channelising all his energy towards one goal.“I think this is very important and he’s got a very able partner on the other end as well. The chemistry between the two is phenomenal, not only on the field, but off the field as well. I think they understand each other, not only mentally, I think skill wise as well.“They understand the game very well, how the game is going and what I need to do, how do I need to finish my overs to be my partner. Can start in a different way. I think this is what stands out.”Dahiya also credited head coach Ashish Nehra for managing the bowling group brilliantly.“Normally when you talk about partnership, it mostly goes with batting, but I think they have a very good partnership and a lot of credit needs to be given to Ashish Naira, the way he handles both of them.“Different pressures when they play for their different international side, but both of them are top class bowlers and I think they do really, really well.”Dharamsala pitch and spin factorWith Dharamsala known for producing high-scoring encounters because of the altitude, Dahiya admitted that spinners may not have a major role to play.Dharamsala hosted three league-stage matches this season and all of them turned out to be high-scoring contests, with teams crossing the 200-run mark regularly at the scenic venue.RCB have already played one game at the venue this season, registering a 23-run win over Punjab Kings, while GT will be playing here for the first time this year.“I think it’s for everyone to see. It’s not only us. Since you start playing IPL games in Dharamshala or whatever games that we have seen playing here, high altitude, we know the number of sixes are much more here than any other ground.“There are some in Bangalore as well, but that’s what one thing is here. I think it’s all come down to dynamics, what sort of a surface you get here, but you are absolutely right. There’s not much role to play for Spinners, but they do come in.”However, he backed experienced spinners from both camps to still make an impact.“I think that’s what the quality of Spin in both the sides. The Spinners that you have in both the sides are two very mature spinners in both the teams and I think they will play their part irrespective of what the surface is.”
