Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill made a remarkable running catch to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala. The game was a crucial playoff encounter, and GT won the toss, choosing to bowl first.
RCB’s opener, Venkatesh Iyer, started with great intensity, attacking the Gujarat bowlers right from the first ball. He was hitting boundaries consistently, and it seemed like he was on course for a high-scoring innings. However, Kagiso Rabada provided Gujarat Titans with an important early breakthrough in the second over, and Gill played a key role in taking a sharp catch near mid-off.
Watching the video:
Shubman Gill shows good awareness in the field
The pivotal moment came on the last ball of the second over. Rabada delivered a back-of-a-length ball around off stump, and Iyer attempted to hit it aggressively across the line. However, he failed to time the shot, and the ball soared high into the air over the mid-off area. Gill reacted quickly, started running backwards, and maintained focus on the ball. Despite the pressure of the playoff match, Gill remained composed and completed the catch cleanly. This moment sparked excitement among the Gujarat Titans players, as they managed to remove a dangerous batter at a critical juncture.
Venkatesh Iyer scored 19 runs off 7 balls, including three fours and one six. His knock provided RCB with a strong start, but Gujarat Titans managed to stop him before he could cause more damage. Rabada once again demonstrated his reliability in high-pressure situations. The South African pacer used a smart short-ball approach, which led to the early wicket for his team.
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RCB make positive start despite early wicket
Even after Iyer’s dismissal, Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to score at a decent pace during the powerplay. Virat Kohli looked comfortable at the crease and was trying to push the scoreboard forward. By the 2.2 overs, RCB were at 27/1, with a run rate above 11 per over. Kohli had scored 8 runs off 7 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal was now at the crease.
Mohammed Siraj struggled in the initial overs, conceding 20 runs in his first 1.2 overs. Meanwhile, Rabada maintained control and took the crucial wicket of Venkatesh Iyer. RCB still had strong hitters waiting in the lineup, such as Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya. Gujarat Titans hoped that this wicket would help them gain control in the playoff clash.
