The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are set to face Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 34 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The spotlight will be on star batter Virat Kohli, who is on the verge of achieving a monumental milestone in the tournament.
Virat Kohli Nears Historic 9,000 Runs
Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer in IPL history with 8,908 runs, is just 92 runs shy of becoming the first player to reach the 9,000-run mark in the league. Having played 273 matches, Kohli has amassed eight centuries and 65 half-centuries. He has been a cornerstone of the RCB franchise since the inaugural season in 2008 and has never entered the auction. Kohli also holds the record for the most hundreds in the IPL, with eight centuries to his name.
Kohli's Stellar Record Against Gujarat Titans
Kohli has an outstanding average of 87.75 against the Gujarat Titans. His scores against them read: 58 off 53 balls, 73 off 54, an unbeaten 101 off 61, an unbeaten 70 off 44, 42 off 27, and 7 off 6 deliveries. This consistent performance underscores his dominance over the GT bowling attack.
Jos Buttler's Mixed Form
For the Gujarat Titans, opener Jos Buttler has had a mixed record against RCB. In his last five innings against them, he has registered two centuries but also two ducks, highlighting his inconsistency against the Bengaluru side.
Recent Form and Team News
RCB enters this match after suffering their first home defeat of the IPL 2026 season, losing to Delhi Capitals on April 18. Despite this setback, they have been among the stronger teams this season and will be eager to bounce back in their final home game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following this fixture, RCB's remaining two home matches will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, are coming off a heavy 99-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 20. That loss ended their three-match winning streak. The team will be looking to recover, though playing in Bengaluru, a traditionally high-scoring venue, presents a significant challenge.
Match Context and What to Expect
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season but are now at a crucial juncture. RCB will rely on their batting depth, led by Kohli, while GT will look to their bowling attack to contain the hosts. Fans can expect an exciting contest as both sides aim to get back to winning ways.
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