RCB host GT at the M Chinnaswamy (Photo Reuters)

RCB vs GT Preview: RCB look to reclaim fortress Chinnaswamy, prey on wounded Gujarat Titans

IPL 2026: The Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in a high-stakes clash between Shubman Gill's side with struggling middle order and Rajat Patidar's side with vulnerable death bowling. With the head-to-head record at this venue favoring the Titans, both teams are seeking a crucial batting resurgence in their final home league game of the season.

24 Apr 2026, 03:52 by Naman Suri · India Today

In Short

Gujarat Titans enter after a heavy defeat that exposed middle-order frailties
Royal Challengers Bengaluru also lost recently, with death bowling under scrutiny
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli eye the Orange cap this season

It is the ultimate "King vs. Prince" narrative as Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to host Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With both teams seeking a vital win, the "Prince" will be looking to rally his wounded Titans and breach the "King’s" fortress in what promises to be a high-octane encounter.

Despite their recent struggles, the Titans will look to remain confident. However, form is not currently on their side. GT enters this fixture reeling from a crushing 99-run defeat against the Mumbai Indians, a loss that exposed significant cracks in their lower middle order.

RCB, on the other hand, find themselves in a slightly better position on the table, having won four of their last six matches. Nevertheless, they also come into this game following a frustrating home defeat to the Delhi Capitals. In that match, victory slipped through their fingers in the final over when David Miller’s clinical counterattack against Romario Shepherd halted RCB’s momentum.

However, more than batting, it might prove to be a battle of bowlers when the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna take on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and possibly Rasikh Salam Dhar. If there's any zip or movement in the pitch, it could be a riveting contest, with elite operators either hitting top gear or using subtle variation to outthink some of the game's best batters. Meanwhile, Krunal Pandya and Rashid Khan might try to turn and bounce things in their teams’ favour during the middle over phase.

As this will be the final league game of the season at the Chinnaswamy, RCB will be keen to fully to utilise the loyal Bengaluru faithfuls on a track famously conducive to high scores.

RCB will look to fully utilise their last home game at M Chinnaswamy (Screen grab from X)

VULNERABILITIES

The core of GT's batting remains largely unchanged from 2025, featuring the formidable top three of Shubman Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. While Glenn Phillips is a new addition, the departure of Sherfane Rutherford has left a void.

The issue? While Gill and Buttler have been scoring, the top order hasn’t been as prolific as it was last year. With Sai Sudharsan struggling for rhythm at the top, the middle order has been forced into the game too early.

"The middle order was undoubtedly exposed," noted GT batting coach Matthew Hayden after the MI defeat. "We shouldn't be allowing players like Rahul Tewatia or Shahrukh Khan to face a high volume of deliveries. That’s not their role; that’s not what they train for."

GT’s middle order is currently striking at a mere 135, with the least number of sixes (eight).

For RCB, the Achilles' heel remains their execution in the final five overs. The loss to DC was a prime example of a winning position being surrendered at the death. Romario Shepherd still has the backing, but will he be able to keep Jacob Bethel out of the squad for longer, with only team balance pushing his case?

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – At 36 years young, Bhuvneshwar will still be the bowler to look out for against GT, given his favourable record against their top order. He has dismissed Buttler seven times and Gill four times, and hasn’t conceded at above a 110 strike rate to either of them.

The GT top three come into this game having all been dismissed in the Powerplay for the first time in their last game against Mumbai Indians. Additionally, Jos Buttler has two ducks and two hundreds in his last five innings against RCB.

Jason Holder – If the West Indian gets the nod ahead of Glenn Phillips, GT might sacrifice a batter for an all-rounder who has been in decently good form since the T20 World Cup with both bat and ball. At the Chinnaswamy, a venue that offers spongy bounce, Holder’s height and back-of-length game could make him the X-factor GT might just be looking for.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS

Chinnaswamy is a batter's paradise. Short boundaries offer little margin for error for the bowlers, though a slowing surface in the latter half could provide some grip for the spinners. Dew is expected to play a major role, likely giving a significant advantage to the team batting second.

Pitch No. 6, the one used for the CSK and LSG games, will likely be in play for this match. AccuWeather predicts "partly cloudy" conditions for Bengaluru, ensuring a full game of cricket is likely.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Historically, there is nothing to separate these two sides, with the overall record standing at 3–3. However, the Titans hold the edge at this specific venue, leading 2–1 at the Chinnaswamy. In their last meeting here, GT’s top order made light work of a challenging total, chasing it down with clinical defiance.

PROBABLE XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Impact Sub - Rasikh Salam Dhar

Gujarat Titans (GT): Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Sub - Ashok Sharma/Shahrukh Khan

- Ends