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New Delhi: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns with Gujarat Titans in a high-voltage IPL Qualifier 1 clash at the picturesque HPCA Stadium on Tuesday.
With both teams finishing the league stage on 18 points, RCB secured the top spot courtesy of a superior Net Run Rate, setting the stage for a blockbuster encounter with a direct ticket to the final at stake.
The two sides have already shared one win each this season, adding more intrigue to the contest. While the winner will march straight into the IPL final, the losing side will still get another shot through Qualifier 2 against the Eliminator winner.
RCB Likely to Reshuffle Opening Combination
RCB may spring a surprise by opening with Venkatesh Iyer despite the availability of Phil Salt. The franchise is reportedly keen to capitalise on Venkatesh’s recent form, while the move could also help them balance the playing XI by accommodating overseas options alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
GT Banking on Explosive Top Order
For Gujarat Titans, much will once again depend on skipper Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan, who have consistently delivered throughout the season. Their pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, has also played a crucial role in GT’s impressive campaign so far.
HPCA Stadium Pitch Report
The surface at Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium is expected to heavily favour batters. Known for producing high-scoring encounters, the pitch generally becomes even better for stroke play under lights. Dew is also likely to play a major role in the second innings, making chasing the preferred option for captains winning the toss.
Despite the pressure of a knockout fixture, another run-fest could be on the cards, with a total around 220 likely to be considered competitive on this batting-friendly surface.
