GT vs RCB Match Preview, Prediction, Lineups, Timings, and How to Watch — IPL 2026 Match 42: Can Kohli’s RCB Stay Unbeatable?

The defending champions ride into Ahmedabad brimming with confidence, but Gujarat Titans will be desperate for a home win. IPL 2026 Match 42 between Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to be a cracker — here’s everything you need before the first ball is bowled.

GT vs RCB Match Details

Current Form & Points Table Standing

Gujarat Titans have had a mediocre start, winning four and losing four of their eight matches, sitting fifth on the points table with eight points and a negative NRR of -0.475. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, have been dominant — winning six of eight games with 12 points, and a win on Thursday would take them to the top of the leaderboard. crictracker

Head-to-Head Record

RCB hold the edge in this rivalry — and they’ve just beaten GT in the reverse fixture days ago.

Predicted Playing XIs

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar | Impact: Rahul Tewatia

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar | Impact: Jacob Bethell

Key Player Battles to Watch

Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada is the matchup that could define this game. Kohli is RCB’s top run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 351 runs from 8 innings at an average of 58.50 and strike rate of 162.50, and boasts an exceptional average in excess of 85 against GT. He needs just 49 runs to overtake Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the Orange Cap. crictracker

Rabada, meanwhile, has consistently caused Kohli trouble in the past and can bowl at any stage of the game to swing momentum in GT’s favour. crictracker

Pitch Report & Match Prediction

The Narendra Modi Stadium offers a balanced wicket, with two of the three games played there this season going to the team batting first. A target of 220–230 is expected to be competitive. crictracker

Our Prediction: Team batting first to win — but with 50/50 win probability, this one goes down to the wire. RCB’s superior form gives them a slight edge.

The Indian Premier League remains the world’s most-watched T20 franchise competition, and this clash between two heavyweight sides won’t disappoint.

For more IPL 2026 previews, fantasy tips, and cricket analysis, head to TechnoSports.

FAQs