New Delhi: Kagiso Rabada. added his name to the IPL record books during Gujarat Titans’ Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday.The South African speedster became the highest wicket-taker in the Powerplay in a single IPL season when he dismissed Venkatesh Iyer during the high-stakes encounter.Rabada bowled a backward length ball around the off-stump and Iyer tried an aggressive shot but could only manage a top edge. GT captain Shubman Gill, who was at mid-off, completed a fine catch while running backwards.With this development, Rabada moved into the past. Muhammad Shamiwho took 17 wickets in the Powerplay during the 2023 IPL season.
- Most wickets in first six overs in an IPL season
- 18 – Kagiso Rabada (2026)*
- 17 – Mohammad Shami (2023)
- 16 – Mitchell Johnson (2013)
- 16 – Trent Boult (2020)
Earlier, Gujarat Titans won the toss against RCB in Qualifier 1 and decided to bowl first.GT made one change to their playing XI, replacing Arshad Khan with Kulant Khajrulia.RCB also made one change, with Jacob Duffy replacing Romario Shepherd.The winner of Qualifier 1 will get a direct entry into the IPL 2026 final, while the losing team will get another chance through Qualifier 2.RCB and GT finished first and second on the points table respectively, both ending the league stage with 18 points and separated only by net run rate. The two teams were 1-1 this season and 4-4 in overall IPL history.One of table toppers RCB’s five defeats this season came against GT, whose bowling attack troubled them earlier in the tournament. However, the defending champions later avenged the loss in the reverse fixture.Both the teams are chasing their second IPL title. While RCB will aim to successfully defend their crown, GT will be aiming to reclaim the trophy they won in their first season in 2022.
RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 Playing XIs:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikal, Rajat Patidar (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Jacob Duffy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rashikh Salamdar.Impact Subs: Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chauhan, Abhinandan, Jordan Cox.Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shibman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Parsed Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Kalwant, Mohammad Siraj,Impact Subs: Rahul Tyotia, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Sai Kishore, Kumar Kshagra
