NEW DELHI: Former India head coach
Ravi Shastri once again found himself at the centre of social media chatter after a confusing moment during the toss presentation ahead of IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala on Tuesday.
Shastri was hosting the toss interaction with captains Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar when a brief mix-up during the proceedings quickly grabbed attention online.
After winning the toss, Gill clearly stated that Gujarat Titans would bowl first in the high-pressure knockout clash. However, seconds later, Shastri asked the GT skipper what the team had decided to do after winning the toss, despite the decision already being announced.
The moment instantly went viral, with fans flooding social media with memes and jokes aimed at the former India all-rounder.
Some fans also mocked Shastri for mistakenly mentioning during the toss segment that RCB had finished the league stage with 20 points. In reality, Royal Challengers Bengaluru topped the table with 18 points after becoming the first side to qualify for the playoffs.
During the toss, Gill confirmed one change in Gujarat Titans’ playing XI, with left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya replacing Arshad Khan.
RCB too made one change, bringing in New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy in place of West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd.
Later in the match, RCB produced a batting masterclass as skipper Patidar smashed an unbeaten 93, while Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya chipped in with explosive 43-run knocks to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record-breaking 254/5 in 20 overs.
For Gujarat Titans, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets each, but the bowling attack struggled badly against RCB’s relentless batting onslaught.
In reply, Gujarat Titans wereb bowled out for 162.
With this big win, RCB stormed into the IPL 2026 final. GT will face the winner of Eliminator in Qualifier 2.
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