Kulwant Khejroliya: Former RCB Pacer Named in Gujarat Titans Playing XI for Crucial Qualifier 1

Gujarat Titans made a surprise change for their IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala, handing a key playoff opportunity to left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya. GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing a good wicket and the possibility of dew in the second innings. Gill confirmed that Khejroliya replaced Arshad Khan in the only change to the playing XI, setting up an intriguing contest against his former franchise, RCB.

Khejroliya, born on March 13, 1992, in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, is a left-arm medium-fast bowler with domestic experience for Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. The 34-year-old first entered the IPL conversation in 2017 when Mumbai Indians signed him after a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Although he was part of the squad, he did not get a game that year. His next big break came in 2018, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought him for INR 85 lakh after encouraging performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

He spent two seasons with RCB and featured in five matches for the Bengaluru side, building a modest IPL resume before moving on. In 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders picked him up for INR 20 lakh, and he played two matches, taking two wickets. He was also associated with the Delhi Capitals squad at one point, though he did not get a chance to appear in a match for them.

Ahead of IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans added Khejroliya to their squad, but he featured in only one game during that season. His selection for this knockout match marks a major moment in his career, particularly because it comes against RCB, the team he once represented. For GT, the call adds an experienced left-arm seam option in a pressure game where early breakthroughs could be decisive.

So far in the IPL, Khejroliya has played eight matches and taken six wickets. In overall T20 cricket, he has appeared in 26 matches and claimed 27 wickets, with best figures of 4/26. While not among the most high-profile names in the contest, his inclusion underlines Gujarat Titans’ tactical approach as they look to maximize bowling depth in a high-stakes playoff.

Gujarat Titans’ XI for the match features Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Royal Challengers Bengaluru fielded Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar. The decision to back Khejroliya in a playoff clash adds a fresh storyline to an already crucial encounter.