My gut feeling is that whichever team wins Qualifier 1 could go on to win IPL, says Deep Dasgupta
New Delhi, May 25
Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans could be shaped early in the Powerplay, where Titans' top-order will be tested by the new-ball attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.
He pointed out that previous matchups have already shown contrasting strengths, with Shubman Gill handling Hazlewood well, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been effective in picking up early wickets and applying pressure.
Dasgupta feels the opening six overs will be decisive in setting the tone, and the team that wins that phase is likely to take control of the contest and possibly go on to win the tournament.
"The biggest battle in Qualifier 1 will be the Powerplay contest between Gujarat Titans' top-order batters and the new-ball pairing of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. In the previous game, Shubman Gill was outstanding against Hazlewood, while Bhuvneshwar picked up crucial wickets and created pressure early on. Those first six overs could well decide the direction of the match because both teams rely heavily on strong starts. My gut feeling is that whichever team wins this game could go on to win the tournament," Deep Dasgupta said on JioHotstar.
The defending champions, RCB, are going to play Qualifier One against GT at Dharamsala on Tuesday. The Qualifier one between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will determine the first finalist of IPL 2026.
RCB showed impressive form in the league stage, winning 9 and losing 5 of 14 matches. However, both teams finished with 9 wins from 14 matches and 18 points. RCB topped the table only through superior NRR.
The momentum is firmly with the Gujarat Titans heading into the clash after their dominant 89-run win over the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru come into the fixture on the back of a heavy 55-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I feel it's too early to call the entire tournament based on one Qualifier. IPL is unpredictable—remember last year when the team that won Qualifier 1 lost the final? But I get what Dasgupta is saying about Powerplay battles. Bhuvneshwar vs Gill will be key. Bhuvneshwar's swing is deadly early on, but Gill's technique is top-notch. Excited to see how it plays out in Dharamsala! 😊
Deep Dasgupta is not wrong, but let's not forget RCB's biggest weakness: their middle order. If Kohli and Faf don't fire in the Powerplay, things could get messy. GT has a more balanced bowling attack. But hey, this is the first time RCB is a defending champion—maybe that changes their mindset. Still, my gut says the team that adapts to Dharamsala's conditions better will win. Views, anyone?
This article says RCB topped the table on NRR, but let's be real: they've been inconsistent. Winning 9, losing 5 is decent, but losing to SRH by 55 runs before a crucial Qualifier? That's a red flag. GT, on the other hand, demolished CSK. Momentum is huge in IPL. If GT wins Powerplay, they'll suffocate RCB. But if RCB's top order fires, they could post a 200+ total and defend it. Interesting battle ahead!
Dasgupta's analysis is good, but I'd say the middle overs are equally crucial. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad for GT can strangle the run flow in the middle. RCB's spin department? Not that strong. Plus, Maxwell's form is concerning. If RCB's powerplay is good but they lose wickets post-Powerplay, GT's
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