Gujarat Titans assistant coach Vijay Dahiya said the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 1 will see a battle between two equal teams and dismissed the notion that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will have an advantage, having played a league-stage contest at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
“There are many players across both teams who have played at this venue before, and they will be aware of the conditions here. Both teams play as a unit; that is what stands out, and the game is going to be a battle. Since there is a lot at stake, there is going to be pressure on both,” Dahiya said.
The coach added that the two sides have been performing well and have found themselves at the top end of the table due to the consistency in their bowling. “You see teams putting runs on the board. But in the end, you need a solid bowling unit. You hardly see any changes in both the teams, and that is due to the self-belief of the bowlers and the faith put in by the captain and the management,” he said.
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Gujarat Titans has picked the most PowerPlay wickets across any team in the competition this year (38), thanks to some accurate bowling from Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj. Dahiya said the two have complemented each other’s bowling and have formed a solid partnership on and off the pitch.
“The chemistry between the two is phenomenal. They understand each other mentally and skill-wise as well. They understand the game very well and what they need to do for the partner at the other end. They are different characters who come from different international environments, and a lot of credit needs to be given to Ashish Nehra, the way he handles both of them,” the coach opined.
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan has had a larger part to play after two middling seasons, where he picked only 19 wickets in aggregate. Dahiya said his improvement has come from being in a much better mental space and due to his hunger to contribute to the team.
“It’s not easy for a spinner in this format. He has gone through a couple of surgeries as well, and you may need a season or two to get back. He has been top class in the nets and is chatting with batters trying to understand how his game works and what he is lacking,” the former India international said.
Published on May 25, 2026
