Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Josh Hazlewood, Rashid Khan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar headline the key players in GT vs RCB Match 42 of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday, April 30.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, are 2nd on the points table with six wins from eight matches (12 points), riding a devastating 9-wicket demolition of Delhi Capitals where they bowled DC out for just 75.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans sit 5th with four wins from eight matches (8 points), bouncing back with a comfortable 8-wicket win over CSK where Sai Sudharsan scored 87.
A win for RCB takes them top of the table, while GT need every point to stay in the playoff race.
Key Players To Watch Out For From Both Teams
| Category | Player Name | Team | Key Role / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Virat Kohli | RCB | 351 runs at SR 162; crossed 9,000 IPL runs; scored 81 in reverse fixture. |
| Batsman | Devdutt Padikkal | RCB | 34* vs DC; consistent No.3; key in the middle overs. |
| Batsman | Rajat Patidar (c) | RCB | SR 213+ this season; captain leading from the front. |
| Batsman | Shubman Gill (c) | GT | 330 runs this season; averages 52+ at NMS; GT’s backbone. |
| Batsman | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 322 runs including century vs RCB; 87 vs CSK; closing in on 2,000 IPL runs. |
| Batsman | Jos Buttler (wk) | GT | Explosive opener; capable of match-winning knocks. |
| Bowler | Josh Hazlewood | RCB | 4/12 vs DC (POTM); outstanding economy and control. |
| Bowler | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 14 wickets in 8 matches; Purple Cap leader; 3/5 vs DC. |
| Bowler | Rasikh Salam Dar | RCB | Pace and bounce threat; effective powerplay bowler. |
| Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | GT | Doubled his tally in last 4 games; economy 8.30. |
| Bowler | Mohammed Siraj | GT | Former RCB pacer; pace and bounce at NMS. |
| All-Rounder | Krunal Pandya | RCB | Effective even against left-handers; tight middle-overs spin. |
| All-Rounder | Rashid Khan | GT | Economy 10 in last 5 innings; needs a comeback spell urgently. |
| All-Rounder | Washington Sundar | GT | Off-spin and batting utility; suited to NMS conditions. |
Key Player Battles To Watch: GT vs RCB
This rematch features three heavyweight individual contests at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
| Battle | GT Player | RCB Player | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay Duel | Shubman Gill | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bhuvi has dismissed Gill 4 times in 11 innings (66 off 64 balls). Purple Cap holder vs GT captain. Tone-setting contest. |
| Spin vs King | Rashid Khan | Virat Kohli | Rashid needs to rediscover form (eco 10 in last 5). Kohli scored 81 at SR 184 in the reverse fixture. |
| Pace vs Power | Kagiso Rabada | Devdutt Padikkal | Rabada’s improving economy (8.30) vs Padikkal’s 34* in RCB’s last match. Key middle-overs battle. |
GT vs RCB: Head-to-Head Record in IPL
The GT vs RCB rivalry now tilts slightly in RCB’s favour.
RCB lead 4-3 in 7 IPL meetings, including a 5-wicket win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 7 |
| RCB Wins | 4 |
| GT Wins | 3 |
| Reverse Fixture (Match 34) | RCB won by 5 wickets (Kohli 81) |
| GT Home Record at NMS (IPL 2026) | 1 win in 3 matches |
| RCB NRR | Best in IPL 2026 (+1.919) |
| GT Top 3 Run Contribution | 70% of total team runs |
NMS Pitch And Conditions: What To Expect
The Narendra Modi Stadium offers a balanced surface that slightly favours batting.
The average first-innings score at this venue is around 185, with pace bowlers getting bounce and movement early on.
In the only IPL 2026 game on this deck so far, KKR were bowled out for 180 and GT chased it comfortably by 5 wickets.
Ahmedabad is experiencing extreme heat with temperatures touching 43 degrees Celsius, so the surface has been watered more than usual.
Additionally, 2 out of 3 matches at NMS this season have been won by the team batting first.
Spinners like Rashid Khan and Krunal Pandya will find the big boundaries helpful in the middle overs.
Probable Playing XIs for GT vs RCB Match 42
Here is Probable Playing XI for both Teams:
GT Probable XI
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar
Impact Player: Rahul Tewatia or Prasidh Krishna
Note: GT’s biggest concern remains their middle-order. Their top 3 have contributed 70% of total runs, and the death-overs run rate of 9.1 is the lowest in IPL 2026.
RCB Probable XI
Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma or Venkatesh Iyer
Note: Jacob Bethell has opened in the last two matches alongside Kohli, scoring at a strike rate of 161.90. Phil Salt remains on the bench.
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Final Verdict: Both Teams Ready With Balanced Squad For Clash
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are clear favourites, backed by the best NRR (+1.919) in IPL 2026, a destructive bowling attack led by Hazlewood (4/12) and Bhuvneshwar (14 wickets), and Kohli’s relentless consistency.
However, GT have home advantage and match-winners in Gill, Sudharsan, and Rabada who can challenge any team on their day.
The key question is whether Rashid Khan can find his form against RCB’s fearsome batting lineup, or whether the defending champions’ bowling firepower proves too much once again.
Regardless of the result, this Thursday evening rematch at the world’s largest cricket stadium promises to be a blockbuster clash between the defending champions and a desperate GT side.
