Gujarat Titans Fall Short Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL Qualifier 1

In a thrilling IPL Qualifier 1 match, the Gujarat Titans fell short against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, losing by 92 runs. Shubman Gill highlighted the team's inability to capitalize on the Powerplay and pointed out fielding errors that contributed to their defeat. RCB's captain Rajat Patidar led the charge with a stunning 93 runs, while the Titans struggled to chase down a hefty target. Despite the loss, the Titans have another chance to reach the finals. Read on for a detailed match summary and insights from Gill.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 27, 2026, 02:00 IST

Gujarat Titans' Struggles in IPL Qualifier 1

Shubman Gill expressed disappointment after the Gujarat Titans suffered a significant 92-run defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in Dharamsala on Tuesday. He noted that the team failed to capitalize on the Powerplay, which was crucial for their performance. Gill emphasized that the pitch conditions were favorable for batting, and a solid start could have made the challenging chase more attainable.

Poor Powerplay Key to Defeat

Gill remarked, "A strong start is essential. On a ground like this, where the ball travels well and the outfield is quick, a good Powerplay could have made any target achievable given the wicket's behavior and the venue's characteristics."

Fielding 'Not Up to the Mark'

He also mentioned that he was not taken aback by the pitch's performance. Gill believed that the Titans were in a decent position until the 12th or 13th over during their bowling innings. However, he pointed out that poor fielding, including missed catches and subpar ground fielding, hindered their momentum and led to their defeat against RCB.

"I wasn't surprised by the pitch's behavior. We were doing well until around the 12th or 13th over, but our fielding was lacking, with a couple of dropped catches and inadequate ground fielding," he added.

Path to the Final

With this victory, RCB advances to compete for their second consecutive IPL title. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Titans will have another opportunity to secure a spot in the final as they face the winner of the eliminator match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans for the second final position in Qualifier 2 on Friday.

Match Summary

RCB scored 254 runs for 5 wickets, bolstered by impressive performances from captain Rajat Patidar, who scored 93 runs off 33 balls (including five fours and nine sixes), alongside Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya, both contributing 43 runs each. In response, the Titans struggled, with only Rahul Tewatia (68 runs off 43 balls) and Jos Buttler (29 runs off 11 balls) managing to score above 20 runs, ultimately getting bowled out for 162. Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were instrumental in dismantling the Titans' top order.