The IPL 2026 season heats up with a blockbuster showdown between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, April 24. This Match 34 promises fireworks, given the balanced rivalry between the two sides.
RCB, the current title holders, started strong with wins over SRH and CSK but faced hiccups against RR, and later DC after victories against MI and LSG. Their first home loss this season stings, yet they’ve been a force overall. Post this game, RCB heads to Raipur for their last two home league matches, making a win here crucial for morale.
GT’s campaign has been a rollercoaster. Consecutive defeats to PBKS and RR were followed by a hat-trick of wins against DC, LSG, and KKR. But a crushing 99-run loss to MI halted their momentum. Now, they face the daunting Chinnaswamy, a batter’s paradise that’s tough to defend on.
In six previous meetings, it’s 3-3, with GT winning the most recent on April 2, 2025, and the inaugural clash in 2022. Key battles include Kohli vs Rashid and Gill’s form against RCB’s pace attack.
Full GT Lineup: Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gurnoor Brar, Shahrukh Khan.
Complete RCB Team: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Kanisk Chouhan, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Satvik Deswal.
With playoffs in sight, expect aggressive cricket. Who will edge this even contest?
