Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to host Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match No. 34 of IPL 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 24, 2026. RCB, currently third in the standings, aims to rebound from a recent loss to Delhi Capitals.
Why it matters: This match is key for both teams as they look to solidify their standings in the tournament. RCB is vying for a playoff spot, needing a win to maintain momentum.
RCB has won four of their six matches this season, sitting comfortably in the top half of the table with 8 points.
Gujarat Titans, after a strong start with three consecutive wins, are now seventh with just 6 points from six games.
This encounter marks RCB's final home game before shifting their base to Raipur for the remainder of the season.
Driving the news: RCB enters this match following a narrow six-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals, where they struggled to defend a total of 176 runs. Meanwhile, GT suffered a humiliating 99-run loss to Mumbai Indians, breaking their three-match winning streak.
In their last match, RCB lost after David Miller hit three consecutive boundaries off Romario Shepherd in the final over.
GT's collapse against Mumbai was marked by Tilak Varma’s impressive 101 not out, but they were bowled out for just 99 runs.
RCB's skipper Rajat Patidar acknowledged their sixth bowler's lack of penetration as a concern exposed by DC.
State of play: Both teams have faced recent setbacks, but RCB's strong performance throughout the season positions them as favorites.
RCB has the second-best Net Run Rate (+1.171) among the ten teams, highlighting their consistent form.
GT's Net Run Rate is currently the third-worst (-0.821), indicating their struggles this season.
RCB has yet to lose a game when chasing this season, which could be a decisive factor in this match.
The big picture: The rivalry between RCB and GT has been closely contested, with both teams winning three matches each in their previous encounters.
Historically, RCB has a slight edge at Chinnaswamy, leading the head-to-head record 2-1 when playing at home.
Virat Kohli leads the scoring charts in RCB vs GT matches with 351 runs, making him a key player to watch.
Mohammed Siraj has taken 8 wickets in previous encounters, underscoring his importance for RCB's bowling attack.
What they're saying: Captains from both teams expressed their thoughts ahead of the match, emphasizing the importance of adapting to conditions.
“We will field first,” RCB's Rajat Patidar said after winning the toss. “This looks like a good wicket for batting, but it lacks grass and could be tacky in the first innings.”
GT's Shubman Gill noted, “Chasing is good here, but hopefully we'll have a good game. It's all about assessing the conditions early.”
Patidar confirmed that Phil Salt is injured and Jacob Bethell will replace him in the lineup.
By the numbers: Key statistics highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both teams ahead of this match.
RCB has scored over 200 runs in two of their four matches at Chinnaswamy this season, indicating the venue's high-scoring potential.
GT's recent loss against Mumbai has significantly impacted their confidence and run rate, making this match a must-win for them.
RCB has won three out of four matches at Chinnaswamy this season, showing their home advantage.
What's next: Following this match, RCB will transition to Raipur for the second half of the season, which adds urgency to their performance.
The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 PM IST.
Live streaming will be available on JioHotstar, with television coverage on Star Sports Network across India.
Fans can expect a thrilling contest as both teams aim for a much-needed victory to bolster their playoff aspirations.