Predicted Gujarat Titans Playing XI vs RCB: Prasidh to boost Siraj, Rabada-led pace attack in Qualifier 1

Catch how the Gujarat Titans (GT) could line up in Qualifier 1 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Dharamsala.

Funny how quickly IPL seasons change. Back in April, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosted Gujarat Titans (GT) and made them look like a team stuck in an older version of T20 cricket. GT scored 205, Sai Sudharsan made a classy hundred, but RCB chased it down comfortably and exposed that Gujarat were batting too safely.

That loss changed them.

Since that night, GT have looked like a completely different side. The scoring rate has jumped, the middle overs are no longer treated as survival phases, and their bowling attack has become arguably the most feared unit left in the tournament. Now, heading into Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, Gujarat suddenly look like the more complete side. And the biggest reason is perhaps their pace bowling.

GT likely to favour Prasidh as Impact Player

Shubman Gill has barely changed combinations this season and there is little reason to start now. GT have used the second-fewest players in IPL 2026 and finally seem settled after their mid-season revival.

The only real debate remains around the Impact Player slot. Against RCB’s batting-heavy lineup, GT are expected to back extra pace and bring in Prasidh Krishna instead of an additional spinner like R Sai Kishore or Manav Suthar. The Dharamsala pitch also supports pacers heavily.

Predicted Gujarat Titans Playing XI vs RCB

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have given GT consistency at the top all season, while Buttler’s role has become more aggressive. Washington Sundar has become one of GT’s most valuable players. He has scored 296 runs at a strike rate above 152 and has been especially dangerous at the death, striking at 180.59 in overs 17-20.

Jason Holder’s inclusion changed GT’s season completely. Before he entered the XI, Gujarat were still finding their feet. Since then, they have looked balanced with both bat and ball, and have won six of their last eight games.

Siraj, Rabada and Prasidh could decide the Qualifier

Yes, RCB have Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, but GT still hold the edge with their pace department. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have been brutal with the new ball. GT have taken 30 wickets in the powerplay this season, the most in the tournament, while Rabada himself leads the IPL with 24 wickets. Siraj, meanwhile, has become the dot-ball machine of IPL 2026, dishing out the most dot balls (148) so far this season, the most of all. Rabada has 147.

GT pace attack in IPL 2026

Rabada also has an outstanding record against RCB.

Then comes Rashid Khan. After two underwhelming IPL seasons by his standards, Rashid is back to looking like Rashid again. He already has 19 wickets this season, equalling his tally from the last two IPLs combined.

GT have never played an IPL match in Dharamsala before, but conditions there usually reward pace early on. That makes Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion even more likely, especially considering his ability to hit hard lengths alongside Siraj and Rabada.