IPL 2026: Dharamshala light show portrays wrong Indian map during RCB vs GT Qualifier 1

The fireworks and light show in the innings break during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Qualifier 1 game against the Gujarat Titans (GT) caused a bit of a stir when the lights displayed the wrong Indian map. 

The mid-innings programme lasted for about 25 minutes after the first 20 overs, where RCB went on to score 254 runs, after skipper Rajat Patidar hit a jaw-dropping 93 not out of just 33 balls. 

Amongst all the fancy displays and musical performances, the organisers messed up the Indian maps projected with lasers. The map had major sections that were portrayed incorrectly or were missing completely. For instance, various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar and most of India’s Seven Sisters, were not shown properly. 

The fans were rightfully disappointed to learn that an Indian league was not paying attention to the map of the country that it represents on the world stage. 

Despite the unfortunate incident which happened during the mid-innings show, fans enjoyed a good cricket match that ultimately ended with RCB reaching their second consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) final. After posting a mammoth 254 in the first innings, GT were bundled out for a mere 162, falling 92 runs short in the process.

While Patidar was the star with the bat, the entire bowling unit put in work to help the defending champions reach the showpiece final in Ahmedabad. Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets, which included the crucial scalp of Sai Sudharsan. Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya all chipped in with two wickets each. Josh Hazlewood, on the other hand, only took one wicket, but that was the all-important dismissal of GT captain Shubman Gill. 

The Titans will now wait for the winner of the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals to play in Qualifier 2 for a chance to play the final on May 31.