Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are strong favourites against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 42 of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 PM IST. RCB are priced around 1.62-1.72 odds (implied win probability of ~58-62%).
Vs
Narendra Modi Stadium
30 April 2026 07:30 PM
This is a rematch from just 6 days ago, when RCB chased GT’s 205/3 with 7 balls to spare at Chinnaswamy. Since then, both teams have won impressively. RCB bowled DC out for just 75 (Hazlewood 4/12, Bhuvi 3/5), while GT beat CSK by 8 wickets (Sudharsan 87).
However, this time GT have home advantage at the world’s largest cricket stadium. This article covers odds, predicted XIs, NMS pitch report, weather, and GT vs RCB Match 42 prediction.
GT vs RCB Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 42 of IPL 2026, which is a rematch from the Chinnaswamy encounter just 6 days ago.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | GT vs RCB, 42nd Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Thursday, April 30, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (evening game) |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
| Weather Alert | Clear skies. No rain expected. Scorching heat (~42°C during day). Dew in second innings. |
GT vs RCB Betting Odds Comparison
RCB are clear favourites because of their 6-2 record, dominant NRR (+1.919), Kohli’s form (350+ runs), and Hazlewood’s 14 wickets. However, GT’s home advantage at the NMS and Sudharsan’s three centuries keep this competitive.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | RCB Win Odds | Implied RCB Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 2.35 | 1.62 | ~62% |
| Bet365 | 2.25 | 1.68 | ~60% |
| 1xBet | 2.40 | 1.60 | ~63% |
| Betfair | 2.20 | 1.72 | ~58% |
RCB at 58-63% implied win probability reflects their dominance this season. Although GT have home advantage and Sudharsan is in outstanding form, RCB’s all-round superiority (NRR +1.919 vs GT’s negative NRR) makes them the stronger side.
Disclaimer: Odds are indicative and sourced from publicly available platforms at the time of writing. Consequently, they may change closer to match time.
GT vs RCB Predicted Playing XIs
While GT will likely retain the winning CSK combination, RCB may welcome Phil Salt back, which would strengthen their batting firepower significantly.
Gujarat Titans (GT) Predicted XI
B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Predicted XI
Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report
The NMS is the world’s largest cricket stadium (capacity 132,000), and its large boundaries create unique T20 dynamics. The par score in IPL 2026 sits around 190-205, which is lower than Chinnaswamy or Wankhede because of the bigger ground.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Balanced. Good bounce for pacers early. Grip for spinners after the 10th over. Surface can vary (red or black soil). |
| Batting Conditions | Good but not a flat track. Larger boundaries (76m straight, 70m square) suppress six-hitting. Timing and placement rewarded over raw power. |
| Bowling Conditions | Pacers get bounce and carry. Spinners find grip in the middle overs. Death bowling is more manageable than at smaller grounds. |
| Par Score (IPL 2026) | 190-205 (lower than Chinnaswamy/Wankhede due to larger boundaries) |
| Bat First vs Chase | Dew favours chasers in evening games. Both captains will prefer bowling first. |
| Key Stat | Sudharsan scored 100 in the reverse fixture on a similar surface. Kohli’s 81 showed placement beats power here. |
How the NMS’s Large Boundaries Change the Game
Crucially, the 76m straight boundary and 70m square boundaries at the NMS are significantly larger than Chinnaswamy (65m) or Wankhede (70m). Consequently, batters who rely on six-hitting (like Shahrukh Khan) are disadvantaged, while those who time the ball and find gaps (like Kohli and Sudharsan) thrive here.
This also means Rashid Khan‘s bowling becomes more effective. Batters cannot simply hit over the top on large boundaries. They must find the gaps, which is exactly where Rashid’s accuracy and variations excel. Therefore, the NMS surface and dimensions favour GT’s bowling approach over RCB’s power-heavy lineup.
Weather Forecast for GT vs RCB
According to live weather data for Ahmedabad on April 30, the forecast shows clear skies with 0% rain probability. Therefore, a full match is guaranteed.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 38-42°C during the day, easing to ~32-35°C by match time. |
| Weather | Clear and sunny. No rain threat. |
| Rain Probability | 0% (Full match guaranteed) |
| Humidity | Low to Moderate (dry Gujarat heat) |
| Wind | Light |
| Dew Factor | Moderate to heavy dew expected in the second innings. Favours chasing team. |
| Impact | Extreme heat will tire fast bowlers. Dew will consequently make defending totals harder after the 12th over. |
The scorching 42°C daytime heat will ease by match time, but the residual heat will still test fast bowlers. Specifically, Rabada and Hazlewood bowling 4-over spells in humid conditions will require exceptional fitness management.
GT vs RCB Head-to-Head Record in IPL
This is a relatively young rivalry (GT joined in 2022), but it has already produced some memorable contests. RCB lead 4-3 from 7 matches. Importantly, RCB won the reverse fixture just 6 days ago.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 7 |
| RCB Wins | 4 |
| GT Wins | 3 |
| RCB Win % | 57.1% |
| Reverse Fixture (6 days ago) | RCB won by 5 wickets (Kohli 81, chasing 205/3) |
| GT’s Highest vs RCB | 205/3 (Sudharsan 100, reverse fixture) |
| RCB’s Highest vs GT | 206 (IPL history) |
| GT 2026 Form | 4W 4L (5th, beat CSK by 8 wkts, Sudharsan 87) |
| RCB 2026 Form | 6W 2L (2nd, NRR +1.919, bowled DC out for 75) |
Why This Rematch Is Different from 6 Days Ago
The reverse fixture at Chinnaswamy saw Sudharsan score a brilliant 100, pushing GT to 205/3. However, Kohli‘s 81 and Padikkal‘s 55 (off 27) made the chase look straightforward as RCB won by 5 wickets.
This time, the venue shifts from Chinnaswamy to the NMS, which changes the dynamics significantly. Chinnaswamy’s short boundaries (65m) favoured RCB’s power-hitting. The NMS’s larger boundaries (76m straight) consequently reduce six-hitting effectiveness, which could help GT’s bowlers.
Both teams have won since that meeting. GT dismantled CSK (chased 162 in 16.4 overs), while RCB produced their most dominant performance of the season (DC bowled out for 75). Consequently, both enter with winning momentum, making this a genuine contest despite the odds favouring RCB.
Key Players to Watch
Since the defending champions face a resurgent GT on their home ground in a rematch from 6 days ago, these 7 players could determine whether RCB strengthen their playoff position or GT close the gap.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 350+ runs at SR 163 and avg 54.67. Scored 81 in the reverse fixture against GT. His timing and placement (rather than pure power) suit the NMS’s larger boundaries perfectly. Kohli against Rashid Khan in the middle overs is the match-defining duel. |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | Three centuries this season, including 100 against RCB in the reverse fixture and 87 against CSK. GT’s most consistent batter and the player RCB fear most. If Sudharsan gets set on a familiar home surface, his scoring rate is unstoppable. |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | 4/12 against DC was his best IPL performance ever. 14 wickets in 8 innings make him IPL 2026’s most effective fast bowler. His ability to bowl tight in both the powerplay and death overs consequently gives RCB control throughout. |
| Rashid Khan | GT | GT’s trump card on the NMS’s large boundaries, where batters cannot simply hit over the top. His leg-spin and googly in the 7-15 over phase are GT’s primary wicket-taking option. Rashid vs Patidar and Padikkal is a key battle. |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 14 wickets in 8 innings. 3/5 against DC was devastating. His swing with the new ball on a fresh NMS surface could consequently rattle GT’s top order early. Bhuvi vs Gill in the powerplay sets the tone for the match. |
| Kagiso Rabada | GT | World-class pace and bounce on a surface that rewards hitting the deck. His ability to bowl yorkers at the death on a bigger ground, where batters cannot as easily clear boundaries, gives GT genuine death-overs control. |
| Tim David | RCB | 183 runs at SR 194 and avg 91.50. The best finisher in IPL 2026. Even on the NMS’s large boundaries, David’s ability to hit long and straight clears the 76m fence comfortably. His 16-20 over assault could consequently be match-winning. |
Toss Prediction
At the NMS in evening matches, dew in the second innings makes chasing the preferred option. Over 90% of IPL 2026 matches have seen captains opt to bowl first, and both Gill and Patidar will want to chase.
However, the NMS pitch can offer more for bowlers than flatter venues. If a black-soil pitch is prepared (rather than red soil), scoring becomes harder. In that scenario, batting first on the best surface before it deteriorates could be a smart alternative.
Regardless of pitch type, bowling first is the overwhelmingly likely choice for the toss winner. Consequently, both teams will bank on their batting depth to chase under dew-assisted conditions.
Match Prediction
A rematch within a week, but this time at GT’s home fortress instead of Chinnaswamy. Both teams carry winning momentum, which consequently makes this one of the most balanced matches of the week.
Where RCB Holds the Edge
First of all, all-round dominance is RCB’s biggest advantage. Their NRR of +1.919 is the highest in IPL 2026, reflecting not just wins but comprehensive victories. Bowling DC out for 75 and chasing in 6.3 overs shows a team operating at an elite level.
Moreover, Kohli’s form (350+ runs, 81 in the reverse fixture) means he already has a blueprint against GT’s bowling. At the NMS, where timing beats power, Kohli’s placement and running between wickets become even more important. He scored heavily here in previous seasons and knows the dimensions well.
Additionally, Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar‘s combined 7/17 against DC shows their bowling is peaking. On a NMS surface that offers bounce and carry, these two in the powerplay could consequently restrict GT below par.
Where GT Holds the Edge
Nevertheless, home advantage at the NMS is significant. GT know this surface intimately. The large boundaries (76m straight) suppress power-hitting, which helps GT’s bowlers (particularly Rashid) control scoring. Furthermore, the NMS crowd (potentially 100,000+) creates an atmosphere that intimidates visiting teams.
Moreover, Sudharsan’s form is extraordinary. Three centuries and a 87 make him GT’s most reliable run-scorer. His 100 in the reverse fixture against this same RCB attack proves he can handle Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar. If Sudharsan fires again, GT can post 190+ on any surface.
Besides, Rashid Khan at the NMS is a different proposition compared to Chinnaswamy. The larger boundaries mean batters cannot easily clear him. Rashid’s middle-overs control (economy under 7 in recent matches) could consequently strangle RCB’s scoring between overs 7-15.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
GT’s concern remains their middle-order fragility. Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and the lower order have consistently underperformed. If Sudharsan and Gill both fall cheaply, GT’s batting collapses. That happened against MI (bowled out for 100) and could happen again against Hazlewood.
Moreover, GT’s inconsistency is alarming. Winning three, losing two, winning one is not a playoff-worthy pattern. Against a team as consistent as RCB (6W 2L, NRR +1.919), GT cannot afford another off day.
Conversely, RCB’s concern is their record at the NMS. They have historically struggled in Ahmedabad, where the larger boundaries reduce their scoring rate. Additionally, Salt’s fitness needs monitoring after his injury absence against DC. If Salt is not fully fit, RCB’s powerplay batting loses a dimension.
Furthermore, Jitesh Sharma and Shepherd remain RCB’s weak links. On a surface where every run counts, contributions from the lower middle order are essential. If RCB’s top 4 all fail, those two have not shown they can rescue innings.
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Final Verdict
All in all, RCB hold a clear edge at around 58-62%. Their NRR (+1.919), Kohli’s 350+ runs, Hazlewood-Bhuvi’s 14 wickets each, Tim David’s finishing (avg 91.50), and their reverse fixture win all favour the defending champions.
However, GT at the NMS cannot be taken lightly. Sudharsan‘s three centuries, Rashid‘s leg-spin on large boundaries, Rabada‘s pace, and the home crowd advantage give GT genuine weapons. Importantly, the larger NMS boundaries reduce RCB’s six-hitting effectiveness, which consequently levels the playing field.
Therefore, expect a par score of 185-200 at the NMS. The Kohli vs Rashid middle-overs duel and the Hazlewood vs Sudharsan powerplay battle will most likely decide this contest. Specifically, the team that controls the 7-15 over phase through spin holds the key to victory.
RCB want to seal their playoff spot. GT need this win to stay in the top-5 race. Although the odds favour Bengaluru, GT at home with Sudharsan in century-scoring form and Rashid on large boundaries make this genuinely unpredictable. Consequently, this rematch could produce a completely different result from 6 days ago.
