Jitesh Sharma’s batting form is a matter of concern in the RCB vs GT match, while Tewatia’s role is unclear. Sudarshan and Bhuvneshwar are in great form. A high scoring match is expected on the flat pitch of Ahmedabad.
RCB vs GT Match Preview: In the 42nd match of IPL, today is the match of Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans on Thursday 30th April. Both the teams have reached the venue for this exciting match to be held at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. On one hand, RCB is at second place on the points table, while GT is at eighth place. While Bengaluru will try to come on top by winning this match, Gujarat will want to further strengthen its position.
RCB vs GT: Head to Head Record
A total of 7 matches have been played between the two teams in IPL so far, out of which Bengaluru has won 4, while Gujarat has won 3. Gujarat will try to level the score by winning today’s match. Let us tell you that along with the batting of RCB, the bowling is also very strong. At the same time, leaving aside the top order of GT, the middle order has not been able to show much success in batting till now.
Jitesh Sharma’s form: Wicketkeeping is excellent, waiting for batting
Jitesh Sharma has been excellent as a wicketkeeper for RCB this season. RCB would like to see the same form in their batting as well. So far, he has made only the highest score of 23 in six innings and has not been able to achieve full rhythm. Last season too, he had a slow start, but later he made a tremendous comeback. The biggest example of this is his unbeaten 85 runs in 33 balls against LSG and 24 runs in 10 balls in the final. This time he would like this great form to return soon.
Question on the role of Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia has played 7 out of 8 matches for GT, but his role is not clear yet. He has played only 42 balls, did not get many chances even in the death overs and has not even bowled. This is the situation when GT’s middle order is continuously struggling. If he wants to have an impact on the match, he will have to be given a chance to spend more time at the crease.
Great performance by Bhuvneshwar and Sudarshan
Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 6 wickets in the death overs this season, which is the second most at this stage. Also his economy rate has been only 7.6. At the same time, Gujarat opener Sai Sudarshan had scored 135 runs in the first six innings, but made a strong comeback by scoring 100 and 87 runs in the last two innings. During this period his strike rate was 152, which is better than before.
GT’s death overs weakness
GT’s run rate during the death overs in IPL 2026 is 9.1, which is the lowest among all the teams. This remains a matter of concern for the team. Kagiso Rabada had taken only four wickets in the first four matches, but in the next four matches he more than doubled his number of wickets. Besides, his economy rate has also come down to 8.30, which is a matter of relief for the team.
Ahmedabad pitch and weather conditions
This is the same pitch where the IPL final was played last year, in which RCB defended the score of 190 runs. In the only match played here this season, KKR was all out for 180 runs, which was below the average score (199) and GT achieved the target easily. At present the temperature in Ahmedabad is reaching 43°C, so a little more water has been poured on the pitch. This is a flat pitch of red soil, where the batsmen will get help and big scores can be made. Talking about the weather, the weather will be very hot in Ahmedabad on Thursday. There is little hope of rain.
Thinking of the coach and both the teams
RCB head coach Andy Flower says, “We do not ask players to be fearless. It is normal to have fear and doubt. We advise them to understand these emotions and handle them properly.” GT’s assistant coach Parthiv Patel says, “We don’t want to make any excuses. Catching needs improvement and we are working on it.”
Gujarat Titans (Probable Playing 11)
Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar and Rahul Tewatia.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Probable Playing 11)
Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar and Jacob Bethel.