Amid the Virat Kohli–Shubman Gill spotlight and Dharamsala’s batting-friendly conditions, IPL Qualifier 1 could be decided not by the big hitters but by the bowlers. With both Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru boasting disciplined and in-form attacks featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, the battle for early breakthroughs and composure in key overs may determine who books a direct ticket to the final.
