Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to continue their IPL journey as they face off against Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the 52nd match of the tournament on Saturday, May 4.
Read More: Tactical Analysis of the UCL 2023-24 Semi-finals: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
RCB vs GT: Match Preview
Having secured two consecutive victories, RCB has shown impressive form in their recent outings, notably defeating Gujarat in their latest encounter. Their aim now is to clinch another win against the same opponent.
In the ever-changing landscape of the IPL, a year can make a world of difference. Last year at this time, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans faced off at the Chinnaswamy Stadium under vastly contrasting circumstances. The Titans were leading the pack and had already secured a playoff spot, while RCB were on the brink of extending their streak to four consecutive years in the final four, with their fate seemingly secure at home. However, as events unfolded, their home advantage didn’t prove to be as advantageous as anticipated.
Fast forward to the present, and Saturday’s match pits two teams currently positioned eighth and tenth on the table. While neither team has extinguished their hopes of qualification, their progress from this point onward depends on numerous factors, including their current form. In this aspect, RCB holds a slight advantage, riding on the momentum of two consecutive victories and a well-defined strategy focusing on utilizing their overseas batters/all-rounders upfront. Securing a third consecutive win and completing a double over the Titans would propel Faf du Plessis’ squad off the bottom of the points table, where they’ve largely languished this season.
Gujarat Titans are in search of a turnaround. They boast the slowest scoring rate in the PowerPlays but also maintain a steady wicket count, indicating underutilization of their batting depth, particularly with Rashid Khan occupying the No.8 position. The conclusion of last year’s encounter between these teams was hailed by some as a significant shift in Indian cricket, highlighted by Shubman Gill’s response to Virat Kohli’s century with one of his own. However, a year later, the Titans skipper finds himself excluded from the World Cup squad, while the established players demonstrate resilience.
On the flip side, Gujarat Titans find themselves in eighth place in the standings, with four wins and six losses, accumulating eight points from ten matches. Following their defeat to RCB in the previous game and two consecutive losses, Gujarat is eager to return to the winning column.
Virat Kohli, typically challenged by spin in T20 cricket, displayed a remarkable performance against one of the IPL’s top spin attacks in the last match, keeping RCB’s hopes alive for the season. He is set to face the same challenge again as Gujarat Titans visit the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Gill’s recent performance, particularly his 16 runs off 19 balls in last Sunday’s clash against RCB in Ahmedabad, epitomizes a challenging season for the talented batter and captain, mirroring his team’s struggles. Despite this, the team management remains steadfast in their support of him, believing that leadership responsibilities will eventually unlock his full potential. Interestingly, Gill’s current tally of 320 runs is only 55 runs shy of his performance at this stage during his stellar IPL 2023 campaign. Form, much like the weather, can be unpredictable. As demonstrated by Bengaluru’s recent resurgence, fortunes can swiftly change in the IPL.
Before their initial clash with GT, Kohli had a strike rate of 123.57 against spin in this season, compared to 112.8 in IPL 2023. However, in Ahmedabad, Kohli demonstrated exceptional prowess by scoring 61 of his 70 runs against spin, at a staggering strike rate of 179.41. His recent innings stands out as one of the most dominant performances by an opener against spinners in IPL history, with no other opener achieving a higher proportion of runs against slower bowlers while scoring 50 or more.
Kohli appears prepared to replicate his performance, having undergone an extensive practice session against spinners ahead of the match, focusing on enhancing his range-hitting against them.
Kohli’s effective handling of GT’s spinners, coupled with Jacks’ remarkable acceleration, facilitated RCB’s smooth chase of 201 runs in the previous encounter, without their designated spin hitters, Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell, needing to bat.
R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad, all conceded more than 10 runs per over, and now they face the same challenge at a venue known to be difficult for spinners. Given GT’s emphasis on their bowling strength, they will need to strategize effectively to prevent RCB from securing their third consecutive victory.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
RCB – WWLLL (last five matches, most recent first)
GT – LLWLW
RCB vs GT: Pitch Report & Conditions
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, following a brief hiatus, appears revitalized after nearly 20 days since the last high-scoring showdown between SRH and RCB, where a whopping 549 runs were amassed. Following a series of matches with comparatively lower scores, the pitch’s “refresh” could herald a return to the typical conditions witnessed in IPL 2024. Bengaluru, after enduring months of scorching summer heat, has been greeted by overcast skies in the past two days, a welcomed change. Fortunately, there’s no indication of rain disrupting the match day proceedings.
While Friday afternoon saw a considerable amount of rain in Bengaluru, it eased off by the evening. The Saturday forecast mirrors this pattern, with cloudy conditions anticipated but no anticipated interruptions due to rain.
Known for favoring batsmen, the surface at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium sets the stage for potentially high-scoring encounters. Given such conditions, winning the toss and opting to bat first to set a substantial total could prove to be a strategic advantage.
RCB vs GT: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 4
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 2
- Gujarat Titans Won: 2
- No Result: 0
- First Played: 30 April, 2022
- Last Played: 28 April, 2024
In their previous meeting, an impressive 86-run partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan propelled Gujarat Titans to a formidable total of 200 for 3, despite the early dismissals of openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha within the initial six overs. Although Faf du Plessis fell early to R Sai Kishore’s delivery, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chase appeared comfortable. While Will Jacks initially struggled, Virat Kohli’s steady innings ensured that the momentum remained with the visitors.
However, the game witnessed a sudden turn when Jacks, who was at 16 runs off 16 deliveries, exploded with a remarkable display, smashing 84 runs off the next 15 balls. This remarkable innings included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, notably against Rashid Khan, as he raced to his maiden IPL century. Jacks’ extraordinary performance not only secured victory for RCB but also provided a significant boost to their net run rate, as they clinched the win in the 16th over.
RCB vs GT: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Following their consecutive victories, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are likely to maintain the same lineup as their previous match, although they have the flexibility to introduce Mahipal Lomror or an additional bowler such as Vyshak Vijaykumar or Akash Deep.
Glenn Maxwell, who returned from a break in the previous fixture, remains available for selection, adding depth to the batting order. Mohammed Siraj has proven effective against David Miller, dismissing him twice while conceding only 10 runs from 14 balls. Their battle in the death overs could prove crucial, with Siraj currently holding the upper hand over the dangerous Titans finisher.
RCB is expected to persist with an all-Indian bowling attack while utilizing both their overseas all-rounders. Vyshak Vijaykumar, known for his effectiveness at the home ground, might be included as the impact substitute, providing an additional bowling option.
Predicted XII:
- Faf du Plessis (capt)
- Virat Kohli
- Will Jacks
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell
- Cameron Green
- Dinesh Karthik (wk)
- Karn Sharma
- Mohammed Siraj
- Yash Dayal
- Swapnil Singh
- Mahipal Lomror/Vyshak Vijaykumar/Akash Deep
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans (GT) are expected to maintain their current lineup without making significant changes, although they might consider fielding an additional pace bowler like Josh Little or Spencer Johnson instead of Noor Ahmad in Bengaluru.
Spencer Johnson’s left-arm angle could prove beneficial against Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) right-handed top order. He might particularly target Rajat Patidar, who has been in good form against spinners, striking at 225 compared to 127.12 against pace bowlers. The quicks have dismissed Patidar six times in seven innings, with left-armers accounting for two of those dismissals.
While Wriddhiman Saha had an extensive net session before the match, GT might contemplate replacing him with Matthew Wade. If such a change is considered, they could opt to bench the overseas all-rounder Omarzai in favor of Vijay Shankar, who has previously performed well at this venue in 2023. Given GT’s ample options in the spin department, they might also consider swapping their third spinner, Noor Ahmad, for Johnson, aligning with the trend favoring pace (31 wickets at 10.47 economy rate) over spin (11 wickets at 9.25 economy rate) at this particular ground.
Predicted XII:
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shahrukh Khan
- David Miller
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Mohit Sharma
- Noor Ahmad/Josh Little/Sandeep Warrier
RCB vs GT: Players Under The Spotlight
RCB – Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, a key figure in RCB’s batting lineup in recent seasons, has experienced a dip in form during IPL 2024, amassing only 32 runs in six innings, with the bulk of those coming from a single knock of 28. After being dropped from the XI, Maxwell made a comeback against GT last Sunday, contributing with the crucial wicket of the opposition captain, Shubman Gill, although he didn’t get a chance to bat in Ahmedabad. With Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks finding form for RCB, Maxwell might find himself with a reduced burden in the middle order, potentially allowing him to play with more freedom and make a significant impact.
GT- Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, leading a team in the IPL for the first time in his career and entering this season on the back of an impressive performance with almost 900 runs in the previous edition, has struggled to replicate his form. He has managed just 320 runs in 10 matches so far, with only two half-centuries to his name. A return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium might serve as the catalyst he needs to reignite his form from the previous year, especially considering his remarkable century on his last visit to the venue during IPL 2023.
RCB vs GT: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- RCB wins the toss and chooses to bat.
- Power Play score: 65-75.
- First innings score: 200-210.
- Prediction: RCB wins the match.
Scenario 2:
- Gujarat Titans win the toss and opt to bat.
- Power Play score: 60-70.
- First innings score: 190-200.
- Prediction: RCB wins the match.
RCB vs GT: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Dinesh Karthik
- Batsman: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli (C), Rajat Patidar, David Miller, Shuman Gill, Sai Sudarshan (VC)
- All-rounders: Will Jacks
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Rashid Khan
Team 2:
- Keeper: Wriddhiman Saha
- Batsman: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli (C), Rajat Patidar, David Miller, Shuman Gill (VC), Sai Sudarshan
- All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Will Jacks
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Gujarat Titans (GT), IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Saturday – May 4
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Where to watch RCB vs GT Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch RCB vs GT Live Telecast: Star Sports
