Gujarat Titans vs RCB Prediction & Match Preview – IPL 2026 42nd Match

Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the 42nd match of IPL 2026 on Thursday, 30 April. The contrast in form is clear: RCB have been among the most complete teams of the season, while Gujarat have struggled to string results together.

The Titans began with two defeats, won three in a row, then lost twice, including a heavy 99-run reverse. They are mid-table and still in contention, and have won only one of their three home games. A recent win over Chennai showed their potential: chasing 163, they finished on 162/2 in 16.4 overs, with Sai Sudharsan making 87 off 46 balls and Jos Buttler adding 39. Kagiso Rabada took 3/25 earlier and was named Player of the Match. Over the season Shubman Gill (330 runs) and Sudharsan (322) have carried the batting, while Rabada (13 wickets) and Prasidh Krishna (12) lead the attack.

RCB, the defending champions, have won six of eight matches and been clinical both chasing and defending, with a nine-wicket win over Delhi Capitals and an earlier victory over Gujarat. They bowled Delhi out for 75 in 16.3 overs, with Josh Hazlewood taking 4/12 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/5, then completed the chase in 6.3 overs through Devdutt Padikkal (34 not out) and Virat Kohli (23 not out).

Kohli leads the batting with 351 runs at 58.50, supported by Padikkal (242) and Rajat Patidar (238 at a strike rate above 210), and Bhuvneshwar heads the bowling with 14 wickets. Our preview favours RCB, though the pressure of the closing stages of the league will test them.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The Narendra Modi Stadium surface is generally well balanced, with true bounce and a quick outfield that helps batters; totals of 170–200 or more are common in T20s. Fast bowlers can find some movement early, but the pitch tends to settle, and spinners may come into play in the middle overs as it slows slightly. The large boundaries reward timing over pure power. Dew can help the chasing side in evening games.

Weather

On 30 April at 7:30 pm local time, Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures of about 34–37°C at the start, cooling gradually. Skies should be clear with no significant rain risk, so a full game is expected. Humidity is moderate, and some dew could appear later on, favouring the team batting second.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 195–210
• 2nd innings: 190–205

About Indian Premier League