Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will field Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Josh Hazlewood, while Gujarat Titans (GT) rely on Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada in Match 34 of IPL 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Currently, RCB sit 3rd with four wins from six matches, whereas GT hold 6th place with three wins from six games. Although both teams lost their last game, RCB’s defeat was a tight 6-wicket loss to DC, while GT suffered a massive 99-run hammering against MI.
RCB Playing 11 Today
Because RCB’s loss to DC was more about bowling execution than batting failure, they are unlikely to make major changes. Accordingly, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt continue opening, since Salt smashed 63 runs against DC in the last game.
Furthermore, captain Rajat Patidar has been in sensational form with a strike rate of 212.96 this season. Additionally, Tim David provides late-innings power at No. 5, while Jitesh Sharma keeps wickets and bats in the middle order.
On the bowling front, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar form one of the best new-ball pairs in IPL 2026. Moreover, Bhuvneshwar picked up 3 wickets in the powerplay against DC, taking his tally to 10 wickets in 6 games at an average of 20. Besides that, Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya handle the spin duties.
RCB Predicted XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.
GT Playing 11 Today
Since GT suffered their heaviest defeat of the season (99 runs against MI), changes to the middle order are expected. Consequently, Jason Holder may replace Glenn Phillips, adding bowling depth to a unit that leaked runs badly.
Besides that, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan open, with Gill having amassed 265 runs in 5 innings at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 151.43. Additionally, Jos Buttler at No. 3 brings explosive firepower, although his inconsistency this season remains a concern.
In terms of bowling, GT’s pace attack remains their biggest strength. Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna lead the charge, with Prasidh holding 11 wickets this season. Moreover, Rashid Khan controls the middle overs with his leg-spin, while Mohammed Siraj has been outstanding against his former franchise historically.
GT Predicted XI: Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
RCB Impact Sub: Rasikh Salam
Since Chinnaswamy is a batting paradise, Rasikh Salam could come in as an extra bowling weapon. Specifically, his raw pace adds a death-overs dimension that complements Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, and therefore gives Patidar a genuine six-over combination at the end.
GT Impact Sub: Rahul Tewatia
Similarly, Rahul Tewatia offers GT a power-hitting option in the death overs. Because GT’s middle order has scored the fewest runs of any team in IPL 2026, Tewatia’s ability to finish games also addresses their most glaring weakness.
Key Players to Watch in Match 34
Firstly, the battle between Virat Kohli and Rashid Khan will be the headline duel, since Kohli averages over 70 against GT in this rivalry. Similarly, Shubman Gill versus Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the powerplay promises fireworks, given Gill has scored just 66 runs off 64 balls against Bhuvneshwar in T20s while getting dismissed four times.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | Opener | 351 runs vs GT at avg 70+; IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer; Chinnaswamy king |
| Rajat Patidar | RCB | Captain / Batter | Strike rate 212.96 this season; scored 12 off 8 vs Rashid without dismissal |
| Phil Salt | RCB | Opener / WK | 63 runs vs DC in last game; explosive powerplay performer; SR 160+ |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | Pacer | 10 wickets in 6 games; avg 20; 3 wickets in powerplay vs DC |
| Shubman Gill | GT | Captain / Opener | 265 runs in 5 innings; avg 53; SR 151.43; 104* vs RCB in 2023 |
| Rashid Khan | GT | Leg-spinner | 4 wickets vs RCB all-time; controls middle overs; GT’s talisman |
| Prasidh Krishna | GT | Pacer | 11 wickets this season; former Purple Cap holder; middle-overs specialist |
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs GT
Across 6 IPL meetings, RCB and GT are perfectly locked at 3 wins each. Notably, this 3-3 deadlock makes tonight’s game the tiebreaker, and both teams will want to claim bragging rights.
| Category | RCB | GT |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
| Highest Score | 206/1 | 200 |
| Record at Chinnaswamy | 1 win (3 games) | 2 wins (3 games) |
| Most Runs | Virat Kohli (351) | Shubman Gill (152) |
| Most Wickets | Mohammed Siraj (5) | Rashid Khan (4) |
Additionally, GT have won 2 of 3 games at Chinnaswamy, including Gill’s famous 104 in IPL 2023 and an 8-wicket demolition in IPL 2025. However, RCB won both meetings at Ahmedabad and Wankhede, meaning GT’s Chinnaswamy success is the anomaly, not the trend.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has produced an average first-innings score of 193 across four IPL 2026 games this season. Furthermore, chasing teams have won 3 out of 4 matches here, confirming the dew advantage in the second innings.
Secondly, the Bengaluru weather forecast shows partly cloudy conditions with a high of 35°C and humidity between 20 and 30 percent. Consequently, there is no threat of rain, and the surface will remain batting-friendly throughout the evening.
Besides that, the small boundaries and fast outfield make Chinnaswamy one of the hardest venues for bowlers in the IPL. As a result, any total below 200 is chaseable, and therefore the toss becomes crucial tonight.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter as favourites, especially since they have the stronger batting lineup and home advantage. Specifically, RCB’s depth with Kohli, Salt, Patidar, and Tim David covers all phases, while GT’s middle order has scored the fewest runs of any team this season.
On the other hand, GT‘s pace attack with Rabada, Prasidh, and Siraj can trouble any lineup. However, their 99-run loss to MI has exposed a fragile middle order, and Chinnaswamy’s small boundaries could punish bowling errors severely.
As for the toss, the captain winning the flip will likely bowl first to exploit the dew. Ultimately, RCB are predicted to win this contest and therefore climb back to 2nd place on the points table.
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Final Word
To sum up, the RCB vs GT Match 34 serves as the tiebreaker in a perfectly balanced 3-3 rivalry. If Kohli fires at his favourite Chinnaswamy, then GT’s bowlers face a nightmare evening under the Bengaluru lights.
Otherwise, Gill’s century pedigree at this ground means the Titans cannot be written off. Either way, this Friday night clash promises a run-fest worthy of cricket’s most entertaining venue.
