RCB Vs GT First Playoff IPL 2026: Dream11 Team Prediction, Pitch Report, Best Odds and Live Betting

RCB Last Match Performance

RCB’s last match against SRH was on 22nd May in the league action. They came up short by 55 runs, but they had to do what they had to do. RCB had to defend their NRR and retain the top position by clearing off 165 runs. They went to 200-4 at the end of the game.

Rajat Patidar struck off 56 balls and hit 39 balls for runs. Krunal Pandya came and scored 41 not out. Virat Kohli was bowled off for a 15. The team did their job as a unit even in a losing game.

RCB Last Match Performance

On May 21, GT flog CSK by 89 runs in a team effort. Shubman Gill hit 64 off 37. Sai Sudharsan had a memorable performance with 84 off 53. Jos Buttler arrived and hit 57 off 27 balls, hitting a fly out to the boundary.

GT posted 229 for 4. Then Rashid Khan went 3 for 18 and Mohammed Siraj collected 3 for 26. The CSK were all out for 140. GT entered this playoff in red hot form.

RCB vs GT Head to Head Record

These two sides have played each other 8 times in the IPL. It is perfectly level. Four wins each. Every single match has been close and decided in the final overs. This rivalry has never had a boring game.

• Total Matches – 8
• RCB Wins – 4
• GT Wins – 4
• 2026 Record – 1 – 1

In IPL 2026 league matches, RCB won the first game against GT by 5 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Later, GT came back strongly and won the second match by 4 wickets in Ahmedabad.

Pitch Report for HPCA Stadium Dharamshala

Dharamshala is one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. The mountains in the background make it look like a beautiful landscape. It’s also one of the most hitter-friendly pitches in the nation.

The surface is hard and bounces. As part of the stadium is situated in a high elevation, the ball flies much longer. That makes it very likely that you will find sixers here. The first innings of both the runs of the 2026 IPL series match at the ground saw them cross 200.

Key Pitch Factors:

• Pitch Type – Hard black-soil
• Average Par Score – 185 to 205
• Pace Bowlers – Swing early, extra bounce
• Spin Bowlers -Struggle in 2nd innings
• Dew Factor – Heavy after 9 PM IST
• Match Day Weather – Clear skies, around 21 degrees C

Toss Prediction

The main talking point at Dharamshala for the evening matches is dew. After 9 PM the temperature falls and dew is formed on the pitch, so the ball becomes slippery. The ball can’t be held by spinners.

These put the side that bat first at the back. The captain that wins the toss is likely to bowl first as well. 

Our Toss Call: Expect both Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill to bowl first if they win the toss. Teams chasing have a big edge at this venue because of dew. The team batting first needs to post at least 195 to be safe.

Injury News and Player Updates

Player availability can change everything in a playoff match. Here is the latest confirmed injury and fitness update for both teams before the toss on Tuesday.

Player Team Status Details:

• Jacob Bethell – Left ring finger injury. Ruled out for the rest of IPL 2026. Has returned to the UK.
• Phil Salt – Recovered from his finger injury. Has rejoined the RCB squad and is available for selection.
• GT – No injury concerns. The full squad is fit and available for Qualifier 1.

The loss of Jacob Bethell hurts RCB a little. He was one of their most exciting young players this season. But Phil Salt coming back is great news. Salt at the top of the order with Virat Kohli gives RCB a dangerous opening pair.

RCB vs GT Best Dream11 Team Prediction

Picking the right Dream11 team for the RCB vs GT First Playoff is all about current form, the pitch conditions and how players perform in knockout games. Here is the best team we recommend.