NEW DELHI: Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) enter their IPL 2026 match on Friday after suffering defeats in their previous games. Defending champions RCB lost their last match against Delhi Capitals by six wickets at home in Bengaluru, while GT's three-match winning streak ended at home as they were crushed by Mumbai Indians in a 99-run loss.
Both Teams Aim to Bounce Back
So, both teams will be looking to rebound in Friday's contest to keep their playoff hopes alive. RCB are also playing their last home fixture of the season in Bengaluru and will aim to sign off in style with a win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Despite losing their previous game, RCB remain firmly in the mix among the top four teams in the standings, with 8 points from six games, currently placed third. GT, who started the campaign with two defeats, were on a roll with a hat-trick of wins before stumbling against MI, and are currently in seventh position with 6 points from six games.
Five Key Player Battles That Could Shape the Result
Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Shubman Gill
In this matchup, RCB's veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dominated, dismissing Shubman Gill four times in 11 innings. Gill has managed just 66 runs off 64 balls at a strike rate of 103.12 against Bhuvi, hitting only one six.
Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada
RCB's star batter Virat Kohli has a below-par record against Kagiso Rabada, scoring just 36 runs in seven innings. Rabada has dismissed him three times and hasn't conceded a six in 32 balls to Kohli.
Josh Hazlewood vs Jos Buttler
GT batter Jos Buttler has dominated this contest, scoring at a strike rate of 146.87 against Josh Hazlewood. In four IPL meetings, Buttler has scored 47 runs off 32 balls, while Hazlewood has dismissed him only once.
Rajat Patidar vs Rashid Khan
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar is in excellent form this season, scoring 230 runs at a strike rate of 212.96 in six innings. He will face Rashid Khan in the middle overs, a spinner who, despite a modest start this season, remains a major threat.
Phil Salt vs Mohammed Siraj
GT pacer Mohammed Siraj has dismissed Phil Salt twice in four IPL meetings. However, Salt has struck at 200 against him, scoring 56 runs off 28 balls, including six maximums, and will be eyeing another big score.
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