Match: 34th Match, IPL 2026 Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM IST Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru RCB Captain: Rajat Patidar GT Captain: Shubman Gill
RCB are the defending IPL champions this season. They have been one of the more consistent sides, but a recent loss to Delhi Capitals at home showed some cracks in the middle order. GT, on the other hand, suffered a heavy 99-run defeat to Mumbai Indians in their last match, where they collapsed for just 100 runs. Both teams need a win here to keep their playoff push on track.
Virat Kohli leads the run chart in this rivalry with 351 runs from 6 innings, including three fifties and a hundred. Shubman Gill has also scored a century (104*) against RCB. On the bowling side, Rashid Khan has taken the most wickets against RCB in this contest.
RCB Predicted Playing 11 vs GT
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | Opener |
| 3 | Devdutt Padikkal | No. 3 Batter |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (c) | Middle Order / Captain |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma | Middle Order |
| 6 | Tim David | Finisher |
| 7 | Romario Shepherd | All-rounder |
| 8 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-rounder |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Suyash Sharma | Leg-spinner |
| 11 | Josh Hazlewood | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Dar
RCB’s batting lineup is arguably the strongest in IPL 2026. The Salt–Kohli opening pair has given RCB strong starts in most matches, and the team has hit the most sixes in the tournament so far 52, according to season stats. Tim David’s role as a finisher is crucial, and he showed just how dangerous he can be with a 70 off 25 knock against CSK, helping RCB post 250/3 the highest total of IPL 2026. Kohli has 247 runs this season and sits among the Orange Cap leaders.
The bowling has been more mixed. Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings experience and accuracy, while Suyash Sharma provides a leg-spin option. Hazlewood, when fit, adds genuine pace and bounce. Krunal Pandya covers the spin all-round role in the middle overs. The key concern is that the middle order below Patidar can be inconsistent. Against Delhi, RCB posted just 175 and couldn’t defend it.
GT Predicted Playing 11 vs RCB
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shubman Gill (c) | Opener / Captain |
| 2 | Sai Sudharsan | Opener |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (wk) | No. 3 / Wicketkeeper |
| 4 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 5 | Glenn Phillips | All-rounder |
| 6 | Rahul Tewatia | All-rounder |
| 7 | Rashid Khan | Leg-spinner |
| 8 | Kagiso Rabada | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Mohammed Siraj | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Ashok Sharma | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Prasidh Krishna | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Shahrukh Khan, Sai Kishore, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar
GT’s batting revolves around Gill and Buttler at the top. Gill has 265 runs this season and holds the Orange Cap. Sai Sudharsan adds solidity at the other end. Their problem has been the middle and lower order as seen against MI, when they collapsed to 100 all out. If the top three fail, GT tend to fold quickly.
On the bowling side, GT had one of the stronger pace attacks this season before the Mumbai collapse. Prasidh Krishna leads the IPL 2026 wicket charts with the Purple Cap, and Siraj brings extra motivation against his former team RCB. The real threat in this match, though, is Rashid Khan, who has taken 24 IPL wickets at the Chinnaswamy across his career. On a pitch that tends to slow down after the powerplay, his leg-spin can be very hard to read. R Sai Kishore could also come into play as an impact substitute.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Flat, true bounce, fast outfield |
| Boundary Size | Short approx. 65 metres on all sides |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | 200+ in most matches |
| Innings with 200+ in IPL 2026 at this venue | 4 out of 6 |
| Chasing Record at Chinnaswamy | 49 wins vs 41 wins batting first (overall IPL history) |
| Dew Factor | Present in evening; benefits chasing team |
| Spin or Pace? | Pace early, spin in middle overs |
Chinnaswamy is one of the most batting-friendly venues in Indian cricket. Short boundaries and a quick outfield mean even mistimed shots can travel for four. RCB posted 250/3 against CSK here earlier this season. Every team that has batted here in IPL 2026 has crossed 200 in at least one innings at this ground.
The dew factor makes a big difference in evening matches. The ball grips the pitch less in the second innings, which helps batters and can slow down spinners. That’s why both captains will likely want to bowl first at the toss. Historically, the chasing team has won more matches at this ground 49 wins compared to 41 for teams batting first.
For GT, Rashid Khan is the biggest weapon. His record at Chinnaswamy shows he can still take wickets here despite the conditions. But GT’s pace attack which thrives on bouncy surfaces like Ahmedabad may not get as much from this pitch.
Key Player Stats (IPL 2026 Season)
| Player | Team | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | GT | 265 runs – Orange Cap holder |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 247 runs – 2nd in Orange Cap race |
| Prasidh Krishna | GT | Purple Cap – most wickets in IPL 2026 |
| Phil Salt | RCB | Scored 63 in last match vs DC |
| Tim David | RCB | 70 off 25 vs CSK – highest score of IPL 2026 season |
| Rashid Khan | GT | 24 IPL wickets at Chinnaswamy across career |
| Mohammed Siraj | GT | 3/19 vs RCB in IPL 2025 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | Experienced powerplay bowler; consistent economy |
Key Player Battles
Virat Kohli vs Rashid Khan Kohli has 351 runs in this rivalry the most by any batter. But Rashid is the best wicket-taker against RCB in these head-to-head matches. Kohli handles spin well, but Rashid’s googly on a slowing Chinnaswamy surface could be the difference.
Shubman Gill vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar Gill has been in excellent touch this season. Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the ball early in the powerplay is RCB’s best tool to dismiss Gill cheaply. If Bhuvi gets Gill in the first few overs, GT’s batting depth will face an immediate test.
Phil Salt vs Prasidh Krishna Salt plays aggressively and goes after the bowling from ball one. Prasidh, with his height and bounce, can trouble right-handers who like to hit through the off-side. This powerplay battle will set the tone for RCB’s innings.
Rashid Khan vs RCB Middle Order After the openers, RCB’s middle order has been inconsistent. Tim David and Romario Shepherd play big shots but can get out to good spin. Rashid in the 15th-18th over window, when the pitch grips more, could be the match-turning moment.
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Final Verdict
RCB are the favourites at home. They have a better batting lineup for this surface, a strong home record overall (72 wins in 120 matches at Chinnaswamy), and GT are coming into this game on the back of their worst performance of the season a 100 all-out collapse against MI. Confidence in the GT camp will need some rebuilding.
That said, GT cannot be written off. Gill is in excellent form, Rashid is always dangerous at any venue, and Siraj knows exactly where to bowl against RCB’s top order. If GT can restrict RCB to under 180 and Gill fires with the bat, this match could go very close.
The toss will matter. Whoever bats second gets the dew advantage. Expect both captains to choose to bowl first.
