Why Kulwant Khejroliya Was Suddenly Brought In For RCB vs GT? Gujarat Finally An – Why Kulwant Khejroliya Was Picked for GT vs RCB: Explained

The Surprise Selection at HPCA Stadium

In a pivotal Qualifier 1 clash of the IPL 2026 season held at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26, 2026, the Gujarat Titans (GT) opted for a surprise inclusion in their playing XI: left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya. This marked his debut for the franchise in the current campaign, a move that caught many observers off guard given the magnitude of the encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The Gujarat Titans, led by their captain, began the day with a strategic advantage after winning the toss. Electing to bowl first in a venue known for being a successful chasing ground, the Titans aimed to leverage their strong batting lineup under pressure. However, the game unfolded in a manner few could have anticipated.

Rajat Patidar’s Batting Masterclass

Royal Challengers Bengaluru approached the innings with clear intent. While Virat Kohli provided a solid platform with 43 runs and Devdutt Padikkal injected pace with 30 runs off just 19 balls, it was Rajat Patidar who truly dismantled the GT bowling attack. Patidar remained unbeaten on 93, a knock decorated with 9 sixes and 5 fours, effectively steering RCB to a record-breaking total of 254/5 in their allotted 20 overs. He was well-supported by Krunal Pandya, who also contributed a vital 43 runs to the team’s cause.

GT’s Chase and the Khejroliya Factor

Facing a massive target of 255, the Gujarat Titans’ chase never quite gained the required momentum. Despite a promising start from Sai Sudharsan, who struck some exquisite shots for 14 runs, the early loss of Shubman Gill to Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved to be a significant blow. Although Rahul Tewatia provided some resistance with a valiant 68, the Titans fell short by 92 runs, allowing RCB to secure a direct berth in the IPL 2026 final.

Central to the conversation post-match was the performance of Kulwant Khejroliya. His inclusion initially showed promise; he delivered an excellent opening over, conceding only 3 runs. However, his second over proved disastrous. As the pressure of the playoff intensity mounted, he was taken to the cleaners by Patidar and Pandya, leaking 28 runs in an over that included four fours, a six, a wide, and two no-balls.

Glenn Phillips Addresses the Strategy

In the aftermath of the defeat, Gujarat Titans all-rounder Glenn Phillips faced questions regarding the management’s decision to hand the new ball—and a key bowling role—to Khejroliya in such a high-pressure scenario.

“That came from the coaching staff and what they have seen Kulwant do in training, and he’s a phenomenal bowler. He has got great skills and showed those skills in the first over, as we all saw,” Phillips stated during the post-match press conference. He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, adding, “Unfortunately, it didn’t pay off in the second over, but pressure of the game can do that to someone, and the coaching staff have full faith in everybody. They’d have a conversation with Kulwant for sure, and he would be fully prepared to do the job.”