RCB’s Chinnaswamy Farewell vs GT’s Desperate Comeback Bid
Royal Challengers Bengaluru play their final home match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this IPL season — a ground where they have been nearly unbeatable in 2026, where Virat Kohli has broken T20 records, and where the crowd noise alone has won matches. Standing in their way: a Gujarat Titans side that has lost two straight after three wins and is fighting to stay in playoff contention. Both teams bounce back or both face a season-defining crisis. Something has to give at India’s most electric T20 venue.
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans • IPL 2026, Match 34 •
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026 •
Time: 7:30 PM IST •
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru •
Live: Star Sports & JioHotstar
By Senior Cricket CorrespondentApril 24, 2026 — Match Day Preview📍 Bengaluru, Karnataka
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — average first innings score of 193 in IPL 2026. Four of six innings have crossed 200. This is where bowlers come to suffer and records come to be broken.
🏆 High Stakes Tonight: RCB (3rd, 8 pts, 4W from 6) need a win to stay in the top-2 race. A win could take them to 2nd place on NRR. GT (7th, 6 pts, 3W from 6) desperately need points to stay in the playoff picture — a second straight loss will put serious pressure on their campaign. Both teams lost their last match. Both need a bounce-back tonight.
📍 RCB’s Last Chinnaswamy Game: Tonight is RCB’s final IPL 2026 home fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After this, their remaining home games shift to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. RCB have won 3 of their 4 Chinnaswamy home games this season — making this venue their safest battleground.
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Pitch Report — M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
⚡ Chinnaswamy Stadium — Batter’s Paradise
193
Avg 1st Innings IPL 2026
4/6
Innings crossing 200 here
75%
Chase win % this season
65m
Square boundary (smallest in IPL)
920m
Altitude above sea level
200+
Expected competitive total
What to expect: The Chinnaswamy pitch is flat and true — offering consistent pace and carry from ball one. The high altitude of Bengaluru means the ball travels further through the air, making sixes easier. Small square boundaries (often under 65m) mean anything hit wide of mid-on or mid-off is almost certainly six. Pace bowlers can find swing in the first 2 overs; spinners operate best in overs 8–15. Dew arrives from around the 12th over, making death bowling increasingly difficult for the fielding side. Chasing teams have won 3 of 4 matches here this season — the toss matters greatly.
03
Head-to-Head Record
3
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
6
Total Played
3
Gujarat Titans
Season
Winner
Margin
Venue
At Chinnaswamy (all time)
RCB Won Both
RCB have never lost to GT at the Chinnaswamy
IPL 2026 (earlier)
RCB Won
Comfortable
Away
IPL 2025
GT Won
By 4 wickets
Away
IPL 2024 (Chinnaswamy)
RCB Won
By 4 wickets
Chinnaswamy
IPL 2024
GT Won
By 7 runs
Away
Last 5 matches
Won by team batting second in all 5 — toss is decisive
🏟️ RCB Dominant at Chinnaswamy vs GT: Royal Challengers Bengaluru have never lost to Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL history. Additionally, the last 5 meetings between these two sides have all been won by the team batting second. These two statistics heavily favour the toss-winning captain choosing to field.
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Probable Playing XIs
🔴 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
1Virat KohliBAT
2Phil Salt (wk)WK
3Devdutt PadikkalBAT
4Rajat Patidar (c)BAT
5Tim DavidBAT
6Jitesh SharmaBAT
7Jacob Bethell / Romario ShepherdALL
8Krunal PandyaALL
9Bhuvneshwar KumarBOWL
10Rasikh Salam DarBOWL
11Josh Hazlewood / Suyash SharmaBOWL
Impact Sub: Devdutt Padikkal / Suyash Sharma
🔵 Gujarat Titans
1Shubman Gill (c)BAT
2Sai SudharsanBAT
3Jos Buttler (wk)WK
4Washington SundarALL
5Glenn PhillipsBAT
6Shahrukh KhanBAT
7Rashid KhanALL
8Mohammed SirajBOWL
9Kagiso RabadaBOWL
10Prasidh KrishnaBOWL
11Ashok SharmaBOWL
Impact Sub: Rahul Tewatia / Anuj Rawat
🔍 Selection Watch:RCB: Jacob Bethell vs Romario Shepherd — the Englishman’s left-arm spin on this pitch makes him a genuine all-round option. Josh Hazlewood may be rotated with Suyash Sharma. GT: Glenn Phillips has struggled this season (SR 91 in 4 innings). Washington Sundar has been GT’s most consistent middle-order contributor. Prasidh Krishna (Purple Cap leader) returns to Chinnaswamy where he played his domestic cricket. Confirmed XI at toss time (7:00 PM IST).
Virat Kohli — holds the record for most T20 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (3,500+). Playing his final game at this ground in IPL 2026. Always dangerous at homeShubman Gill — 265 runs this IPL season at avg 53 and SR 151. GT captain faces the toughest bowling test of his IPL 2026 campaign against Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood
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Team Analysis
Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Home Fortress
RCB’s batting unit at the Chinnaswamy is arguably the most dangerous in IPL 2026. Virat Kohli holds the all-time T20 run record at this ground (3,500+) and has been exceptional in the powerplay this season. Phil Salt’s explosive opening partnership with Kohli averages 78 runs per match here. Rajat Patidar’s strike rate of 212+ makes him perfect for Chinnaswamy’s flat, fast surface. And Tim David — the cleaner of any innings in world T20 cricket — has scored 1,000 IPL runs and is the most feared death-over batter in this match.
The bowling has been RCB’s pleasant surprise. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 10 wickets from 6 games, including 3 powerplay wickets against DC alone. Josh Hazlewood brings genuine international-class pace. Rasikh Salam’s raw pace from a left-arm angle has troubled batters throughout this season. And Krunal Pandya’s off-spin in the middle overs has been more wicket-taking than any Chinnaswamy spinners recently. The 175/8 against DC was a below-par performance on this surface — RCB will be looking to post 200+ tonight.
Gujarat Titans — Rebuilding After 99-Run Humiliation
GT enter this match carrying the weight of their worst defeat of the season — a 99-run hammering by Mumbai Indians at their home ground. The top two of Gill and Buttler have been productive; the problem is everything below No. 3. Washington Sundar averages 22 in the middle overs this season. Shahrukh Khan has a strike rate of 112 in this IPL — dangerous for a No. 6 at Chinnaswamy. Glenn Phillips has been inconsistent, and the tail drops away quickly.
GT’s bowling remains their strongest department. Prasidh Krishna is the Purple Cap leader and has been outstanding with the new ball and at the death. Kagiso Rabada destroyed MI in the powerplay (3/33) despite the result. And Rashid Khan — irreplaceable in T20 cricket, capable of winning any match — operates at his best on flat pitches where the flight and purchase he creates is hardest to read. The Kohli vs Rashid battle is the individual contest that will shape this entire match.
📊 Key Contrast: RCB score at 10.2 runs per over in overs 1–6 at Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026 — the highest powerplay run rate of any team at their home ground. GT have conceded 9.8 runs per over in the powerplay across all venues this season. The first six overs will define tonight’s match — if RCB’s openers fire, the total becomes virtually unchallengeable.
⚔️ The Defining Battle — Who Decides the Match
Virat Kohli
RCB · Batter
3,500+ T20 runs at Chinnaswamy Most T20 runs at this venue — ever
VS
Rashid Khan
GT · Leg-Spinner
Dismissed Kohli 4 times in IPL Economy of 5.8 vs left-handers 2026
This is the match-defining head-to-head. Kohli owns this ground more than any batter owns any ground in IPL history. Rashid Khan has dismissed him four times in previous IPL encounters and will look to do so again in the middle overs. The outcome of this personal battle — and Kohli’s reaction if Rashid does claim his wicket — could determine whether RCB post a 200-plus total or settle for something more modest.
Rashid Khan — GT’s X-factor and the most valuable T20 spinner in world cricket. His battle with Kohli at Chinnaswamy is tonight’s signature contestBhuvneshwar Kumar — 10 wickets in 6 matches including 3 in one powerplay spell vs DC. His swing with the new ball vs Gill and Buttler is RCB’s best early weapon
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Key Players to Watch
Virat Kohli
RCB · Opener · Chinnaswamy Legend
3,500+ T20 runs at Chinnaswamy
No batter in cricket history has scored more T20 runs at a single venue than Kohli at the Chinnaswamy. This is his final home game here in IPL 2026. Against Rashid Khan’s leg-spin — who has dismissed him four times in previous IPL encounters — Kohli’s innings will set the tone for everything that follows.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
RCB · Swing Bowler
10 wkts in 6 games · 3 PP wkts vs DC
The most in-form swing bowler in IPL 2026. His three powerplay wickets against DC was the second time in his career he’s achieved that. Against Shubman Gill — who is GT’s batting pillar — Bhuvneshwar’s early nip will be the most critical bowling moment of the first innings. Early Gill wicket = match effectively done.
Rajat Patidar
RCB · Captain · Middle-Order
SR 212+ · Chinnaswamy home specialist
RCB’s captain has been outstanding at home this season, scoring at a strike rate above 212 at the Chinnaswamy. His ability to accelerate against pace and spin in the middle overs makes him GT’s biggest bowling problem. On a flat pitch with dew arriving later, his partnership with Tim David in overs 14–18 could add 60+ in the blink of an eye.
Shubman Gill
GT · Captain · Opener
265 runs IPL 2026 · Avg 53 · SR 151
GT’s campaign lives and dies with Shubman Gill. His 265 runs at an average of 53 and strike rate of 151 are the foundation on which GT’s every innings is built. Against Bhuvneshwar’s outswing and Josh Hazlewood’s short balls in the first three overs, he must survive and set the platform. If he goes cheaply, GT’s fragile middle order rarely recovers.
Rashid Khan
GT · Leg-Spinner · Match-Winner
Economy 6.8 this IPL · 4 Kohli dismissals
The most dangerous T20 bowler in this match on either side. His leg-spin, googly and flipper on a flat Chinnaswamy pitch creates edges, lbws and mistimed pulls that no other spinner can replicate. He has dismissed Virat Kohli four times in IPL cricket. The overs 9–14 phase — where Rashid operates — will determine whether RCB’s batting exploits the dew or collapses in a tangle of confusion.
Kagiso Rabada
GT · Fast Bowler
Powerplay specialist · 3/33 vs MI
Despite the 99-run defeat, Rabada was GT’s best bowler in the last match — three powerplay wickets against MI. Against Phil Salt’s aggressive opening style and Kohli’s expansive front-foot play in the first six overs, Rabada’s reverse swing and hard length makes him the most dangerous GT bowler in this format. A Rabada powerplay spell could define GT’s total with the bat.
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Match Prediction
Win Probability Tonight
RCB · 65%
35% · GT
RCB are clear favourites tonight — home advantage, superior recent form, the Chinnaswamy’s statistical edge for the chasing team, and a batting lineup tailor-made for this flat, bouncy surface. Their record against GT at this venue (unbeaten) and the last-5-meetings pattern (batting second wins) both point in RCB’s direction.
GT’s best chance hinges on two things: winning the toss and bowling first (given the chasing advantage on this pitch), and keeping Kohli and Salt quiet in the powerplay. If Rabada can produce the kind of spell he bowled against MI — three quick wickets in the first six overs — GT have a genuine chance of posting a restrictive total and defending it with Rashid in the middle overs.
But RCB’s batting depth is simply superior. Tim David alone could chase 30 off 3 overs. Krunal Pandya provides lower-order hitting that GT’s equivalent can’t match. GT’s middle order (Phillips at SR 91, Shahrukh at SR 112, Sundar at avg 22) will be exposed if asked to bat on a flat Chinnaswamy surface against Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood with the new ball.
Prediction: RCB to win by 25–35 runs or 4–5 wickets. Virat Kohli to be Man of the Match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to dismiss Shubman Gill early.
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IPL 2026 Points Table (Before Match 34)
#
Team
M
W
L
NR
Pts
Form
1
PBKS Punjab Kings
7
4
1
1
11
W W W
2
RR — Rajasthan Royals
7
5
2
0
10
W L L
3
RCB Royal Challengers Bengaluru TONIGHT
6
4
2
0
8
L W W
4
SRH — Sunrisers Hyderabad
7
4
3
0
8
W W W
5
MI — Mumbai Indians
7
3
4
0
6
W L W
6
DC — Delhi Capitals
7
3
3
0
6
W L L
7
GT Gujarat Titans TONIGHT
6
3
3
0
6
L L W
8
CSK — Chennai Super Kings
7
2
4
0
4
L W L
9
LSG — Lucknow Super Giants
7
2
5
0
4
L L L
10
KKR — Kolkata Knight Riders
7
1
5
1
2
L W L
📈 Playoff Implications:RCB win → 10 pts, jump to 2nd (ahead of SRH on NRR) — effectively in top 4 with 8 games remaining. GT win → 8 pts, equal with RCB and SRH in a three-way tie for 3rd — their campaign dramatically revived. The loser faces serious pressure in the second half of the season.
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Fantasy Cricket Tips — Dream11
Role
Player
Team
Why Pick?
⭐ Captain
Virat Kohli
RCB
3,500+ T20 runs at Chinnaswamy — highest ceiling, last home game here in 2026
⭐ V-Captain
Shubman Gill
GT
265 runs at avg 53 — GT’s entire batting runs through him
WK-Batter
Phil Salt
RCB
Explosive opener on flat Chinnaswamy — boundary-hitting machine from ball 1
Batter
Rajat Patidar
RCB
SR 212+ at Chinnaswamy this season — home-ground specialist
Batter
Tim David
RCB
1,000 IPL runs, best T20 finisher in the world — death-overs demolisher
All-rounder
Rashid Khan
GT
Best T20 spinner alive — dual bat/bowl value — dismissed Kohli 4 times in IPL
10 IPL 2026 wickets, 3 PP wkts in last game — new-ball destroyer vs Gill & Buttler
Bowler
Kagiso Rabada
GT
3/33 vs MI — powerplay specialist on a pitch with early carry
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Match 34? +
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Toss at 7:00 PM IST. It is RCB’s final IPL 2026 home fixture at the Chinnaswamy before they shift remaining home games to Raipur. Live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
What is the Chinnaswamy pitch report for tonight? +
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a batting paradise. Average first innings score in IPL 2026 here is 193, with four of six innings crossing 200. Square boundaries under 65 metres make sixes easy. Bengaluru’s altitude increases carry. Chasing teams have won 3 of 4 matches here this season. Dew from the 12th over assists the chasing side further. Expected competitive total: 200–220.
What is RCB vs GT head-to-head record? +
The overall H2H record is level at 3-3 after 6 IPL meetings. Crucially, RCB have never lost to GT at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL history. The last 5 meetings between these teams have all been won by the team batting second — making the toss critical tonight.
How many wickets has Bhuvneshwar Kumar taken in IPL 2026? +
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 10 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 20 and a strike rate of 14.40 in IPL 2026. He took 3 wickets in the powerplay alone against DC in RCB’s previous game — only the second time in his entire career he has managed that feat.
Is Virat Kohli fit to play vs GT tonight? +
Yes. Virat Kohli is fit and expected to play. He had been managing a mild ankle strain, and RCB gave him a five-day break between their last game (April 18 vs DC) and tonight’s match. The break has worked in his favour — he is confirmed to bat at his usual position.
Who will win RCB vs GT tonight? +
RCB are clear favourites at 65% probability. Home advantage, a batting lineup built for Chinnaswamy’s flat surface, Bhuvneshwar’s outstanding form, and RCB’s unbeaten Chinnaswamy record vs GT all point their way. GT need Rashid Khan to dismiss Kohli early and Gill to survive Bhuvneshwar — two crucial battles. Prediction: RCB by 25–35 runs or 4–5 wickets.
What are the IPL 2026 points table standings before Match 34? +
PBKS lead with 11 points. RR 2nd with 10. RCB and SRH on 8 each. MI, DC and GT on 6 each. A RCB win takes them to 10 (equal RR, possible 2nd on NRR). A GT win takes them to 8 — level with RCB and SRH in a three-way tie.
Where to watch RCB vs GT live streaming tonight? +
Live telecast on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3 and Star Sports HD in India. Live streaming on JioHotstar — available on Android and iOS apps, website, Smart TV and streaming devices. Commentary available in English, Hindi, Kannada and other regional languages.
