• Match: Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru( GT vs RCB ), 42nd Match, Indian Premier League, 2026
• Date and Time: April 30,  02:00 pm GMT / 08:00 pm BD / 07:30 pm local time
• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Gujarat Titans
Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Gujarat Titans( GT ) is set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru( RCB ) in their 42nd match during the Indian Premier League( IPL ) 2026. This match is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, April 30.

Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2026 journey has been anything but smooth. They started poorly with two losses, then quickly turned things around with three straight wins, only to slip again with back-to-back defeats — including a heavy 99-run loss that exposed their struggles under pressure. Right now, they’re sitting mid-table: still in the race, but far from consistent.

Their recent win against CSK showed what they’re capable of when things click. Chasing 163, GT made it look easy, finishing at 162/2 in just 16.4 overs. Sai Sudharsan led from the front with a brilliant 87 off 46 balls, while Jos Buttler’s steady 39 ensured there were no late hiccups. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada set the tone with the ball, picking up 3/25 and earning Player of the Match for breaking CSK’s momentum early. Sudharsan, named MVP, once again proved how crucial he is to this lineup.

Over the season, GT’s batting has largely depended on Shubman Gill (330 runs) and Sai Sudharsan (322 runs), both delivering consistently at good strike rates. With the ball, Rabada (13 wickets) and Prasidh Krishna (12 wickets) have been their main weapons, though both have had their expensive days in pressure situations.

Even at home, GT haven’t been very convincing, winning just one of their three matches. As the tournament moves into a crucial phase, they clearly have the talent to beat any team—but their inconsistency remains a big question mark.

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have looked like one of the most complete teams this season. The defending champions have won 6 of their 8 matches, building strong momentum with dominant performances. Whether chasing or defending, they’ve been clinical, including a huge 9-wicket win over DC and a convincing victory against GT earlier.

Their latest match against Delhi Capitals was a perfect example of their dominance. RCB bowled DC out for just 75 in 16.3 overs—one of the lowest totals of the season. Josh Hazlewood was outstanding with 4/12, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with 3/5. The chase was a formality, as RCB finished the game in just 6.3 overs, with Devdutt Padikkal (34*) and Virat Kohli (23*) wrapping things up comfortably.

This season, Virat Kohli has been the backbone of their batting with 351 runs at an average of 58.50. He’s been well supported by Padikkal (242 runs) and Rajat Patidar (238 runs at a strike rate over 210). On the bowling side, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads with 14 wickets, while Krunal Pandya and Hazlewood have stepped up at crucial moments.

Heading into the business end of the tournament, RCB look confident, balanced, and in control. They’ve got the form and depth to defend their title—but the real test will be whether they can keep up this level when the pressure of knockout matches kicks in.

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar.

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

Gujarat Titans: W, W, L, L, W
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: W, W, L, W, W

We’re hoping the team wins the toss and chooses to bowl first.

The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is generally well-balanced, offering something for both batters and bowlers. It usually provides true bounce and a quick outfield, which helps batters play their shots confidently and post competitive totals, often in the range of 170–200 or more in T20 matches. Fast bowlers can get some movement with the new ball, especially during the early overs, but as the game progresses, the pitch tends to settle, making batting easier. Spinners may come into play in the middle overs as the surface can slow down slightly. The large boundaries mean batters need good timing rather than relying only on power. In evening matches, dew can become a factor, making it easier for teams to chase. Overall, it’s a venue that provides a fair contest, with conditions slightly favoring batting in most cases.

At Narendra Modi Stadium on April 30 at 7:30 PM local time, the weather is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures around 34–37°C at the start of the match and gradually cooling as the evening progresses. Skies should remain clear with no significant chance of rain, ensuring a full and uninterrupted game. Humidity levels will be moderate, and a light breeze may offer slight relief, but overall conditions will still feel quite warm. As the night goes on, some dew could develop on the field, which may influence gameplay and favor the team batting second.

• Batting-friendly surface: Ahmedabad usually offers a hard pitch with good bounce, making stroke play easier.
• Short boundaries: Big advantage for power hitters from both teams.
• Hot & dry conditions: The pitch should remain flat in the first innings.
• Dew factor: Likely to arrive in the second innings, helping the chasing side.
• Par score: Anything below 190 may feel slightly under par on this ground.
• Winning score: A total of 205+ can put serious pressure on the chasing team.