Will Phil Salt open with Virat Kohli in Qualifier 1?:RCB captain Rajat Patidar answers big question, praises Venkatesh Iyer

Ahead of the first Qualifier match of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar has made his team’s intentions clear. Patidar said that the team’s goal is not just to reach the final, but to win Qualifier 1 and directly secure a ticket to the final match. RCB and the Gujarat Titans (GT) lock horns at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on 26 May. The winner will directly qualify for the final. Speaking to the media, Patidar said that the RCB players will get good rest before the final . He also issued an update on Phil Salt, who is likely to return to RCB’s playing XI against GT. What was said about pressure? The RCB skipper felt that how both teams perform under pressure can be the deciding factor. “Both teams have done really well throughout the season. On the given day, whichever team executes their plans better, plays better cricket and stays calmer under pressure, I think that team will win the match. It is a big stage, Qualifier 1. We must hold our nerves and be confident in whatever we are doing,” he said. Patidar says bowling is RCB’s strength, praises Venkatesh Iyer Patidar said that RCB’s strength lay in their bowling in the initial phase of the game. He aso lavished praise on his Madhya Pradesh teammate Venkatesh Iyer, who has impressed in the limited opportunities he has got this season. “Our strength is bowling, and the way we bowl in the power play will be very crucial,” he said. “Everyone in the team knows that we are not here to defend, we are here with the mindset of attacking and we will look for early wickets. That is what Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh have been doing and we hope to continue in the same process,” added Patidar. Praising Venkatesh’s attitude, Patidar stated, “I know Venky from childhood, and the way he presents himself is extraordinary. The way he plays in any given situation and his flexibility in the batting order, I really like his attitude.” “He was preparing himself even when he wasn’t getting opportunities. The work he put in during nets and the way he communicated showed he was ready, and as soon as he got the opportunity, he cashed in.” Update on Phil Salt’s fitness Regarding Phil Salt’s fitness, who has returned from England, Patidar said that he is under the supervision of doctors and is also doing some drills. “Salt is fit. He is under observation. He has been participating in a few drills, but we haven’t decided on our playing XI yet. We will look at the pitch and decide,” he said. Also read: WATCH | Kuldeep Yadav fumes after Porel drops hat-trick catch: Ravindra Jadeja teases Shardul Thakur in playful banter Patidar credits Virat Kohli, management for his captaincy Patidar has achieved success in his maiden year as captain in the IPL when he guided RCB to the title in 2025. Sharing insights into his journey as captain, the RCB skipper shared, ”
“To be honest, I do not need to do so much extra. Our management, coaching staff and senior players have a lot of experience, and that is helping me a lot as a leader,” he said. “I get so many ideas from the likes of Virat Kohli, Devdutt, Jitesh, Hazlewood and Tim David. Their ideas and experiences help me a lot, and I try to communicate as much as possible. My strength is calmness and the way I back my instincts.” GT coach Vijay Dahiya lavishes praise on Gill, Sudharsan, Kohli Gujarat Titans assistant coach Vijay Dahiya heaped praise on the trio of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan for their ability to adjust their game as per the format and situation. “These three (Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli) are going to play a very crucial role, and one thing that you mentioned, good, you mentioned these three names, and that tells you that if you are technically very strong, all three names, if you want to put them in grade, they are there. Very strong mentally, and they can change the game according to the format,” Dahiya said. “This is what they have done. But you have to have that in you to change according to the situation, according to the format, and all three have done that. Virat Kohli has done more than anyone else in this because he has played much more than the other two names that you spoke about. But this season, the way Shubham Gill has played, I think he tells you how strong he is, not only technically, but mentally as well and can change his game according to the situation and according to the demand of the format as well,” Dahiya added. He also went on to praise head coach Ashish Nehra. He said that the bowlers’ self-confidence and the support of the captain and management are continuously improving the team’s bowling.