Kohli faces Rabada-Krishna test as RCB aim for seventh win in IPL 2026

Key facts

• RCB have six wins and are second on the points table; GT have four wins and four losses, placed fifth.
• Virat Kohli has scored 432 runs in seven innings against GT at an average of 86.40 and strike rate of 149.4.
• Kagiso Rabada has dismissed Kohli four times in 15 innings; Prasidh Krishna has dismissed him thrice in eight innings.
• Phil Salt has missed the last two matches due to injury and is unlikely to play; he has 202 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 168.33.
• Jacob Bethell, acquired for ₹2.6 crore, has opened in Salt's absence, scoring 14 off 10 and 20 off 11 in his two innings.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken six wickets in the death overs this season at an economy of 7.6.
• GT's death-overs run rate of 9.1 is the lowest in IPL 2026; RCB's overall scoring rate of 11.0 is second-best.
• Sai Sudharsan has rebounded with 100 and 87 in his last two innings after managing only 135 in his first six.

High stakes at Narendra Modi Stadium

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans meet on Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in a fixture that carries significant implications for the IPL 2026 standings. A win for RCB would lift them to the top of the table, while a victory for GT would help them break away from a congested bottom half where several teams are locked on points. RCB enter the match with six wins from eight games, sitting second behind Punjab Kings. GT, led by Shubman Gill, have an even record of four wins and four losses, placing them fifth. The contest pits the league's second-best scoring rate — RCB's 11.0 runs per over across all phases — against a Titans attack that has struggled in the death overs, conceding at 9.1 runs per over, the worst in the tournament.

Kohli's stellar record under threat from GT pace duo

Virat Kohli has been in commanding form this season, amassing 351 runs in eight innings at an average of 58.50 and a strike rate of 162.50, including three half-centuries. Against Gujarat Titans specifically, his numbers are even more imposing: 432 runs in seven innings at an average of 86.40 and a strike rate of 149.4, with one century and four fifties. In his most recent outing against GT, he scored 81 off 44 balls in a successful chase of 206. However, two GT pacers pose a distinct threat. Kagiso Rabada has dismissed Kohli four times in 15 innings, conceding 90 runs at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 126.76. Prasidh Krishna has an even better record, having got Kohli three times in eight innings for 69 runs at an average of 23, albeit at a higher strike rate of 168. Rabada's recent form has improved after a slow start — he took four wickets in his first four games at an economy of 10.8, but has more than doubled his tally in the next four while bringing his economy down to 8.30.

Salt's absence opens door for Bethell

RCB will be without their explosive opener Phil Salt, who has missed the last two matches after sustaining an injury in training ahead of the April 24 fixture against the same opponent. The 29-year-old England wicketkeeper-batter has not been seen in nets and did not travel with the squad from Delhi to Ahmedabad, making his availability for Thursday highly unlikely. The franchise's medical team is taking a cautious approach, prioritising player welfare over a rushed return. Salt's contribution this season has been substantial: 202 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 168.33, with 16 fours and 11 sixes, including two half-centuries. His aggressive starts in the powerplay have been central to RCB's strategy. In his absence, Jacob Bethell has stepped into the opening role with composure. The young left-hander, signed for ₹2.6 crore, scored 14 off 10 balls against GT on April 24 and followed with 20 off 11 against Delhi on April 27, maintaining a strike rate of 161. His left-handed presence alongside Kohli creates a balanced opening combination. Bethell carried excellent form into the IPL after scoring 105 off 48 balls in the T20 World Cup semi-final earlier this year.

Bowling battles and death-over dynamics

The match is expected to be defined by bowling performances as much as batting. Former players Karim and Bishop have noted that pace bowlers are in focus this season, with good bowlers still standing up. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been particularly effective in the death overs, taking six wickets — the second-most in the league in that phase — while conceding just 7.6 runs per over. His economy is a key asset for RCB. GT's death-overs run rate of 9.1 is the lowest among all teams, highlighting a vulnerability that RCB's batting depth may exploit. Conversely, RCB's scoring rate of 11.0 across all phases is second only to Punjab Kings' 11.6. Sai Sudharsan has rediscovered his form for GT, scoring 100 and 87 in his last two innings after managing only 135 runs in his first six, striking at 152 — slightly above his previous rate of 145.

Probable line-ups and team news

RCB are expected to name an unchanged XII from their recent victory over Delhi. The probable line-up includes Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, and Suyash Sharma. The squad also features Philip Salt, Nuwan Thushara, and Venkatesh Iyer among others. GT's squad includes captain Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar, Rahul Tewatia, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Kulwant Khejroliya, Nishant Sindhu, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Luke Wood, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar, Ashok Sharma, and Connor Esterhuizen.

Outlook: momentum and adaptability tested

The clash promises high-quality T20 cricket, with both teams carrying strong momentum. RCB's ability to adapt without one of their key performers will be tested again, but early signs indicate the franchise is well prepared to maintain its winning trajectory. GT, meanwhile, will rely on their pace duo to disrupt Kohli early and their batting unit to capitalise on home conditions. The outcome will have immediate repercussions on the playoff race. A win for RCB would consolidate their top-two position, while a loss could see them slip in a tightly contested table. For GT, victory would not only improve their record but also provide a psychological boost against a direct competitor.

The bottom line

• RCB can go top of the table with a win; GT can escape the mid-table logjam.
• Virat Kohli averages 86.40 against GT but faces two bowlers who have dismissed him multiple times.
• Phil Salt is likely out with injury; Jacob Bethell has opened effectively in his place.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar's death-over economy of 7.6 is a key weapon for RCB.
• GT's death-overs run rate of 9.1 is the worst in the tournament.
• Sai Sudharsan has regained form with back-to-back scores of 100 and 87.