Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Prediction & Match Preview – IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Gujarat Titans in the 34th match of IPL 2026. RCB will be frustrated by their last game against Delhi Capitals, where Philip Salt’s 63 off 38 gave them a fast start but they managed only 43 runs from the last 45 balls. With the ball they also could not build pressure after Bhuvneshwar Kumar took three early wickets.

Virat Kohli has 247 runs at a strike rate close to 158 and Salt 204 from five games, while Rajat Patidar has 230 at a strike rate above 210 and Tim David is striking at over 200. The finishing roles of Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd have been quieter, and Jacob Bethell could be considered. Bhuvneshwar leads the bowlers with 10 wickets, with Krunal Pandya on 8 and Rasikh Salam on 5 from three matches.

Gujarat were skittled for 100 in their previous game, with Kagiso Rabada the one positive after taking three wickets. Shubman Gill has 265 runs, Jos Buttler 206 and Sai Sudharsan 135, but the middle order has struggled beyond Washington Sundar. Prasidh Krishna has 12 wickets and Rabada 10. Our preview favours Bengaluru on their flat home surface.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is one of the most batting-friendly venues in world cricket, with a flat deck, true bounce, short square boundaries and a quick outfield. T20 totals of 180–200 are common. Pacers may find some early movement under lights and spinners some turn as the surface wears, but bowlers need variations to hold batters back. Evening dew can make gripping the ball harder for the side defending.

Weather

The evening is forecast to be warm, at about 28–30°C, with moderate humidity and a light breeze. The chance of rain is very low, and the outlook suggests a dry surface with little dew.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 185–205
• 2nd innings: 175–195

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