IPL betting tips: Back Virat Kohli's RCB to win consecutive titles
The IPL 2026 playoffs are underway, and the race for the title is down to four teams.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru begin their quest for back-to-back trophies against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, while Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket expert Himanshu Sharma breaks down the best bets, value odds, and key match-ups for Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Gujarat Titans (Qualifier 1, IPL 2026 Playoffs)
Venue: HPCA Cricket Stadium, Dharamsala
Date and time: May 26 (Tuesday) at 7:30pm local time (3pm BST)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru look slightly stronger than Gujarat Titans heading into Tuesday’s Qualifier 1, for their explosive batting lineup and well-rounded bowling ability.
The return of hard-hitting Phil Salt will bolster RCB. Virat Kohli remains the key man at the top.
Compared to their winning campaign last season, RCB’s batting has looked more dangerous overall this season. They have hit 143 sixes compared to Gujarat’s 108.
The high-scoring conditions in Dharamsala should suit RCB’s power-packed batting lineup.
The Dharamsala pitch usually produces big scores. Recent first-innings totals here include 241, 236 and 210.
Nonetheless, Gujarat Titans have one of the strongest top orders in the IPL with Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler all in prolific form.
However, Gujarat’s middle order has looked vulnerable whenever the top three fail. If RCB’s quality new-ball attack of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes early with the new ball, the Bengaluru side would be better placed to reach the final.
Betting markets favour defending champions RCB at 1.75, while Gujarat Titans are slight underdogs at 2.05 in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1.
Best Bets:
RCB to hit more sixes
Virat Kohli, Sai Sudharsan to score 50+
RCB to win
READ MORE: IPL cricket review: What has happened to the Mumbai Indians this season?
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals (Eliminator, IPL 2026 Playoffs)
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh
Date and time: May 27 (Wednesday) at 7:30pm local time (3pm BST)
Sunrisers Hyderabad look slightly stronger than Rajasthan Royals going into this clash, mainly because of their explosive top order.
SRH rely heavily on their top four batters, but right now that is not a weakness because all of them are in dangerous form.
Their aggressive batting style can take the game away quickly, especially in the powerplay.
For Rajasthan, the key will be picking up early wickets and putting pressure on the middle order.
RR’s batting also depends a lot on fast starts from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The pair have been one of the biggest positives for the Royals this season. However, whenever they fail, Rajasthan’s middle and lower order has struggled badly.
Rajasthan’s season has also been inconsistent. They started brilliantly with four straight wins, but then lost six of their next eight matches.
That inconsistency makes them a risky betting option against an SRH side that looks more settled.
The match could be decided in the powerplay itself. If SRH bowlers dismiss Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi early, Hyderabad will become strong favourites to win.
Rajasthan remain dangerous if their openers fire, but Hyderabad look like the safer betting pick overall.
SRH’s explosive batting and stronger recent form give them a slight edge. Markets currently favour SRH at around 1.80, while RR are available near 2.0.
Best Bets:
Yashasvi Jaiswal for top Rajasthan batter
SRH to win
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