Kulwant Khejroliya is set to feature in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 for Gujarat Titans against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The left-arm pacer’s inclusion in the playing XI was confirmed by Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill after winning the toss.
Gill stated that Khejroliya replaced Arshad Khan in the side after deciding to bowl first. He added that the decision was influenced by the expected dew in the second innings.
Khejroliya’s Journey to Gujarat Titans
Born on March 13, 1992, in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, Khejroliya is a left-arm medium-fast bowler. He has played domestic cricket for Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. Khejroliya first gained IPL recognition in 2017 when Mumbai Indians signed him following an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy season. However, he did not play any games for Mumbai Indians.
His performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy led to a move to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2018 for INR 85 lakh. Khejroliya played five matches for RCB across two seasons.
In 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders signed him for INR 20 lakh. He featured in two matches that season, taking two wickets. After a year away from the IPL spotlight, Gujarat Titans added him to their squad ahead of IPL 2025 and gave him one game.
A Big Opportunity Against Former Team
Khejroliya has been presented with a significant opportunity in a high-pressure playoff game in IPL 2026. This opportunity is made all the more notable as it comes against his former team, RCB.
To date, Khejroliya has played eight IPL matches, securing six wickets. In all T20 cricket, he has participated in 26 matches, taking 27 wickets with a best bowling figure of 4/26.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (w), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar
RCB Impact subs: Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox
GT Impact subs: Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore
Khejroliya will be aiming to make an impact in this crucial match, having been given a chance in the Gujarat Titans’ playing XI.