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- GT vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans edge out Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 4 Wickets
GT vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans edge out Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 4 Wickets
The Titans' response was nothing short of explosive. Captain Shubman Gill signaled his intentions immediately, dismantling the world-class opening duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. His 43-run cameo came at a staggering strike rate, providing the perfect platform for the chase. Even though Sai Sudharsan fell early and Gill was eventually caught by Kohli off Bhuvneshwar, the foundation was set. Jos Buttler, benefited by a dropped catch from Jitesh Sharma, contributed a vital 39 to keep the pressure on the visitors.
The match saw a brief period of tension when RCB’s bowlers fought back. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s masterclass in swing bowling accounted for Buttler, while Romario Shepherd removed Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan in a single over to leave GT at 109/4. A controversial dismissal of Rajat Patidar earlier in the game had already heightened the stakes, but Rahul Tewatia remained unfazed. Partnering with Jason Holder, Tewatia navigated the tricky middle overs. Even after Holder’s late dismissal by Suyash Sharma, Tewatia’s unbeaten 27 ensured GT crossed the finish line comfortably, ending the match in the 16th over and reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in IPL 2026.
Yeah, I don't know who would have won that one, but yeah, I had him in my eye for sure, but I just didn't want it to fall on the ground. So, just for me, just somebody committing to going for it. He was still in my peripheral, yes, but I mean, I thought he was far enough from me that I could make an attempt.
My biggest thing was just to get there and give an attempt and hold on to it. (ball following him tonight) Yeah, not something that I really want, to be fair. But, I mean, I welcome it as it comes. It's one of those nights where things came to me. I didn't go searching for it, obviously, but yeah, just happy to hold on to the chances when they come, contribute to a team win, and happy that we got over the line today. (enjoying the middle-order role?) I think the way this franchise operates has been really good.
You just got to stay sharp. Ashish is very planned with is, well very detailed with his plans, and it's more or less, just coming in when needed and just delivering. For me, I just have an open mind. I'm not sure exactly sometimes what scenario that I could be posed with, but for me, it's just being switched on and being able to adapt and execute.
Jason Holder | Player of the Match
The energy in the field was very, very nice, especially after the second over, Virat bhai hit us for some runs and how we all came back together. That was very crucial for us. (was there a conscious effort from him to be aggressive in the powerplay?) Honestly, not really. I was just feeling like I was in the zone and on the first ball, I got a bit lucky. And the second one, I got in my zone, so I was like, okay, maybe today's my day, you know.
I was feeling really well. I was feeling confident. So I was like, I want to take the bowlers on. (on Tewatia) He's very important player for us. So very happy that he finished the game. That was one of the conversations that we had in the timeout. We lost, I think, couple more wickets that [than] we would have liked, but in the end I think he got some nice runs and everyone got some hit in the middle.
Shubman Gill | GT captain
37 vs RR, Jaipur, 2023
25 vs RCB, Ahmedabad, 2026
20 vs CSK, Chennai, 2026
20 vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
All eight matches between these two sides have been won by the chasing side, four apiece for both.
Tap to make your prediction
Matches: 39
Wins: 26
Defeats: 13
Win%: 66.67%
W/L ratio: 2
They have the most wins and are the best on the last two parameters among the 10 teams since 2022.
Today was the 13th instance of 10 or more wickets falling in Overs 7-15 across both innings of an IPL match.
2026 is the first edition to feature multiple such instances, the previous also coming at this venue (GT vs RR)
(on his plans against Bhuvneshwar) I think initially, as I've said, they're such good bowlers, they're so accurate. Those guys are trying to change their lengths, put them off their lines. When I got dismissed, got a bit greedy there. Obviously, I had a big gap at mid-wicket. So trying to expose that, and yeah, nice piece of bowling from Bhuvi.
(on Gill's tactics vs Hazlewood) Absolutely phenomenal. We spoke about it before the match. So like you said, when your leader goes out there and does exactly what he spoke about, so calmly, so clinically, against, you know, a top, top bowler, I think that gave a lot of confidence and broke the back of the chase very early.
(big two points today) Massive two points for us. We're in that scenario where we need to hold on to those guys ahead of us, and we play a lot of them as well. So, massive time in the tournament and a really important win today.
Jos Buttler
And as we said, I think the way Shubman played, I think he played beautifully in the powerplay. And he put the pressure on us, but the way we came back and stretched, as I said, stretched till 16th over, I think that's a positive. (learnings from this one?) I think it's pretty clear. I think we gave lot of wickets in the middle and that kept us on the back seat.
(on Bhuvneshwar) As we all know, I think he's an experienced bowler of T20 format and the way he bowled in the first half, I think that is incredible. But I think it's a long way and we'll take one game at a time. (long way to go still) Definitely, but we are not looking at it on the table. But our aim is to play a good cricket.
Rajat Patidar, RCB captain
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In run-chases, GT have played 39 matches and won 26 of them, losing only 13. That gives them a strong win percentage of 66.67%, along with a W/L ratio of 2, which is the best among all 10 IPL teams in this phase.
What stands out is not just the volume of wins, but the consistency under pressure. Whether it’s tight finishes or tricky pitches, GT have shown a calm, methodical approach when chasing targets.
This ability to control run-chases has been a defining feature of their success in the league. With a balanced batting order and players who can adapt to situations, GT have repeatedly found ways to finish games from difficult positions or cruise through straightforward ones.
Since 2022, no other team has matched their combination of chase wins and efficiency in closing games. It highlights a core strength that continues to make them one of the most dangerous sides when batting second in the IPL.
Patidar felt RCB were below par with the bat, even though the bowlers managed to stretch the contest deeper than expected. “I think the score was not good enough, but I think the way we bowled and stretched it to 15, 16 overs, I think that’s a positive sign for us,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of conditions, pointing out the assistance available for the bowlers. “Definitely, there’s a good cover of grass on the surface that helped fast bowlers,” Patidar noted.
Reflecting on GT’s batting effort, he was full of praise for the opposition captain. “The way Shubman played, I think he played beautifully in the powerplay. He put pressure on us, but the way we came back and stretched till the 16th over, I think that’s a positive,” he added.
However, Patidar admitted that RCB’s biggest setback came in the middle overs. “I think it’s pretty clear. We gave a lot of wickets in the middle and that kept us on the back seat,” he said, identifying the collapse as the turning point.
He also highlighted the impact of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has now climbed to the top of the Purple Cap list. “As we all know, he’s an experienced bowler in T20 cricket and the way he bowled in the first half, that was incredible,” Patidar remarked.
Despite the loss, the RCB captain stressed that the season is far from over. “It’s a long way and we’ll take one game at a time. There’s bound to be a hiccup on the way,” he said.
With RCB still well placed in the standings, Patidar made it clear the focus remains on performance, not the points table. “Definitely, but we are not looking at the table. Our aim is to play good cricket,” he concluded.
Buttler felt the conditions offered something for everyone, especially early on. “A really good batting surface. I think the bowlers deserve a lot of credit there,” he said. He also pointed out that fielding made a big difference in the contest. “One of the biggest differences for us is taking our catches today.”
Talking about the new ball, Buttler admitted there was movement that kept batters alert. “It did. There was a bit in it. Some fantastic bowlers on show with the new ball. Siraj and Rabada have been great for us and obviously in the opposition as well,” he said, acknowledging the quality on display from both Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.
He also explained GT’s tactical approach against RCB’s attack, especially in the powerplay. “Shubman talked about trying to put them off their lengths because they’re such good bowlers. So credit to him for going and doing that,” Buttler noted, praising the intent shown by captain Shubman Gill.
Reflecting on his own dismissal, Buttler was honest about taking a risk. “When I got dismissed, I got a bit greedy there. I had a big gap at mid-wicket, so I tried to expose that, and it was a nice piece of bowling from Bhuvi,” he admitted.
He also highlighted how Gill’s early blitz set the tone for the chase. “When your leader goes out there and does exactly what he spoke about, so calmly, so clinically, against a top bowler, that gave a lot of confidence and broke the back of the chase very early.”
Looking ahead, Buttler stressed the importance of the result in the wider context of the tournament. “Massive two points for us. We’re in that scenario where we need to hold on to those guys ahead of us. So, a really important win today,” he concluded.
Gill highlighted the importance of restricting RCB to a modest total on a surface that had something for the bowlers. “Feels very satisfying. On a wicket to restrict a team like them to 155 is very nice,” he said, underlining how significant the early breakthrough was in shaping the game.
He admitted GT have had inconsistent fielding performances in the past but felt the energy was different this time around. “At times we haven’t fielded as well, but today the energy was quite high after the second over,” Gill noted, pointing to the lift in intensity during the powerplay phase.
Reflecting on his own explosive start with the bat, the GT skipper described how everything clicked early in the chase. “I was just feeling I was in the zone. First ball I got a bit lucky and then I thought today was my day. I was confident of taking the bowling on,” he said, after setting the tone with a blazing knock.
Gill also praised the contribution of Rahul Tewatia, who played a crucial role in the middle order to finish the chase. “He is a very important player for us. That was one of the conversations we had in the timeout. He got some nice runs and everyone got a hit in the middle,” Gill added.
It was a complete performance from GT, with the captain leading from the front and the team executing their plans to perfection in all departments.
Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Holder credited the early bowling effort that set the tone for GT’s dominance. “It was one of those nights. The energy was quite high and credit to KG and Siraj for bowling in the powerplay that well,” he said, acknowledging the impact of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj with the new ball.
Holder also spoke about the intensity in the field and his awareness during key moments. “I did see him, hoping I didn’t run into him. I had an eye on him,” he said, referring to the sharp fielding moments that shaped the contest. His focus, however, remained simple throughout the game. “My biggest thing was to get there. I welcome it as it comes.”
A key part of his contribution came through holding onto crucial catches, something he felt proud of in a high-pressure game. “Just happy to hold on to the chances and happy to help the team win,” Holder added.
He also praised the culture within the Gujarat Titans setup, highlighting their clarity and professionalism. “The way this franchise operates is very nice. It’s about having an open mind and being switched on and being able to execute,” he said.
It was a complete team effort, but Holder’s impact in key moments ensured GT stayed in control and walked away with a convincing win.
37 vs RR, Jaipur, 2023
25 vs RCB, Ahmedabad, 2026
20 vs CSK, Chennai, 2026
20 vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
All eight matches between these two sides have been won by the chasing side, four apiece for both.
RCB showed fight with the ball, taking six wickets and stretching the game into the 16th over, but their batting total proved below par on a good surface.
Skipper Shubman Gill set the tone early with an explosive start, taking on Josh Hazlewood in a 24-run over that put GT firmly in control. His intent ensured GT were always ahead in the chase.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept RCB alive with a disciplined spell, picking up three key wickets and briefly slowing GT’s progress. Romario Shepherd added two more, but it was not enough to shift momentum.
In the end, impact substitute Rahul Tewatia calmly finished the job, guiding GT home without much trouble.
GT register back-to-back wins, while RCB will look back at a missed opportunity with the bat.
The race for the playoffs heats up - A win for the Gujarat Titans has really brought them into the mix for a top-four finish, and now the top five teams are separated by just 3 points. Chennai Super Kings in P6 are on 6 points, which gives GT a decent cushion as well. RCB, even with the hefty loss, stay in P2. Next up, we have a battle between two teams who are currently in different places in the table. Rajasthan Royals welcome Delhi Capitals to Jaipur on Friday, the 1st of May, in what could really be a make-or-break game for the Capitals. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!
POTM - Jason Holder! Holder gets the award for his bowling exploits of 2 for 29 in 4 overs to go along with 3 catches. He says that he is very happy with the win. Adds that it was one of those matches where everything clicked. He also gives credit to Kagiso Rabada for bowling well in the Powerplay, which set the tone for the side. On his catch when he was just about to collide with KG, he laughs and says that he was just trying to get close to the ball. He had Rabada in his peripheral vision, but he was never going to back off from that attempt. On his middle-order role, Jason says that he just focuses on delivering, no matter what the circumstances are. He just tries to do the best for the team and keep an open mind so that he can adapt in any situation.
The captain of Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that this win feels satisfying. Feels that restricting RCB to under 160 was a tremendous effort from the bowlers. Admits that the fielding hasn't been at its best in phases, but tonight, the overall energy in the field was very good. Shubman says he was feeling in the zone with the bat, so he took the bowlers on. Mentions that Rahul Tewatia is an important player for the side and is pleased he was able to finish the game. Gill admits they lost a couple more wickets than they would have liked but it was good that everyone got some time in the middle.
The Presentation ceremony...
Recapping the first innings - Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill put Royal Challengers Bengaluru into bat first. The frontline duo of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj bowled some lovely lines and lengths up front, but Virat Kohli launched a counter-attack, hitting KG for five fours in a row.Both Rabada and Siraj got early wickets, and KG also got his revenge on Kohli, after which the likes of Arshad Khan, Jason Holder and Rashid Khan came in and completely suffocated the RCB lineup by picking up wickets in a heap. Only Devdutt Padikkal showed some promise as he scored a brisk 40 before getting out. Holder, in particular, had a time to remember, picking up a couple of wickets and 3 catches as well, whereas Arshad finished with 3 wickets to his name.
GT's Jos Buttler is also up for a chat - Buttler starts off saying that it was a batting surface, and he feels that their batters did very well. Also adds that the catches they took were the difference maker in the first inning. About the new ball bowlers, Buttler gives credit to Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj for bowling exceptionally well with the new ball. He also says that Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled very well, and it was his spell that kept the opposition in play.
Let's now hear from the RCB skipper - Rajat Patidar says the score was not good enough for this track. Credits the bowlers for the way they came out and stretched the game as far as they did. Patidar mentions that the good grass covering helped the fast bowlers. Feels Shubman Gill batted beautifully in the Powerplay and put them under pressure. Rajat says they lost too many wickets in the middle overs, which put them on the back foot. Praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar, calling him an experienced bowler, and highlights how incredible he has been for the team. Adds that it is a long tournament, and the focus is on taking it one game at a time. The RCB skipper shares that they are not looking at the points table, with the aim simply being to play good cricket.
Not enough runs on the board - There was a bit in this pitch, and the seamers did get some movement early on, but RCB didn't have enough on the board. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was prolific yet again, uprooting all of GT's top three batters, and he's now picked up 17 wickets, as many as he picked up in all of last season. Josh Hazlewood was surprisingly off colour today, and the likes of Romario Shepherd and Suyash Sharma did well to pick up wickets and keep the fight alive, but they were eventually blown away, thanks to GT's attacking intent.
Beating RCB at their own game - Gujarat Titans were chasing a middling total of 156 runs, but they were pretty aggressive right off the blocks. Shubman Gill, in particular, was the enforcer early on, scoring 43 runs off just 18 balls, and that really got his side ahead in the game. Jos Buttler too played a quickfire cameo, and it seemed like GT would win the game without breaking a sweat. However, the Titans forgot to take their foot off the pedal once they were in the clear and kept losing wickets at regular intervals, allowing RCB a sniff, but in the end, the score was a small one, and the top order had done enough damage.
Comeback complete - Gujarat Titans had lost their previous game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this season, but they have now avenged that defeat, picking up their fifth win of the season as well. RCB, on the other hand, suffer their third defeat of the season, and stay on 12 points, but from 9 games now.
Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, FOUR! Rashid Khan hits the winning runs. Gujarat Titans come up trumps against the defending champions. They win by 4 wickets with 25 balls to spare. Suyash Sharma gives the ball a bit of air, on a nagging and outside off. Rashid backs away and shimmies down the track as well. He reaches out and thumps it over cover for a boundary to seal the win.
Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, Flighted delivery, full and around the off stump. Rashid Khan sinks to a knee and reaches out in front. He rolls his wrists over the ball to control the sweep. Plays it all along the ground through square leg. Tim David tidies up in the deep by moving to his right. A couple of more runs.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Short and sliding in at the hips. Tewatia pivots on the back foot and pulls it through backward square leg for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Shorter and flatter, outside off. Tewatia cuts it hard and through the vacant backward point region. It is cut off by the deep fielder by getting around to his right. Two runs taken.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up by Suyash, it is the googly, a bit too full, outside off. Tewatia picks the wrong'un and goes with the turn. He stays leg side of the ball and lofts it inside out over cover. There is no protection in the deep and the ball reaches the fence. 7 more needed for GT.
- Rashid Khan 1 (4)
- Rahul Tewatia 20 (14)
Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, A bouncer to end the over, on middle. Rashid Khan ducks underneath the delivery and lets it travel to the keeper.
Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, Good-length delivery, on middle, Rashid Khan bunts it back to Shepherd.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Romario Shepherd switches to around the wicket and delivers on a length, angling in, on middle. Rahul Tewatia tucks it to square leg for a single.
Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, Much fuller, around the off pole with pace. Rashid Khan lunges and drives it to mid off for a quick single.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Back of a length, just outside off. Rahul Tewatia opens the face of the bat and steers it to deep third for a comfortable single.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, On a hard length, just outside off, Rahul Tewatia dabs it to cover.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Wide given for height. RCB are a bit bemused by that call. Rajat Patidar has taken the review. Dug in short by Romario Shepherd, over off, Rahul Tewatia lets it through to the keeper. The Ball Tracking confirms that the ball went past Tewatia at 1.79 metres, with his head measured at 1.75 metres. So, the wide call stands.
- Rashid Khan 0 (1)
- Rahul Tewatia 18 (11)
Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, Half a shout for LBW! Suyash sticks to the wrong'un and drags the length back a bit, on middle. Rashid Khan leans forward to defend and just about squeezes an inside edge onto the front pad.
Wow, GT lose another wicket and they still need 15 more to win. Rashid Khan walks out to bat at number 8.
Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, OUT! CAUGHT! Jason Holder holes out. Suyash serves the googly, on a length, on middle. Holder gets on the front foot and uses his long reach to play the slog sweep. The ball spins back in to catch the inner half of the bat. Jason fails to get the distance on the shot and picks out the deep mid-wicket fielder. Devdutt Padikkal takes a safe catch close to his chest, a couple of metres away from the boundary cushions. GT are 6 down now for 141, still needing 15 more runs.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Around off, full in length. Rahul drops it beside the strip on the off side and gets to the other end.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Wide! Sprayed well down leg, Tewatia walks inside the line to shovel it past short fine leg but misses. Jitesh Sharma moves to his right and gets a hand on it. He seems to have hurt his fingers in the process but shakes off the pain.
Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, Quicker through the air, full and in line with the off stump. Jason looks to cover the line with a straight bat. It goes off the outside edge to short third and the batters take a quick single.
Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, Out comes the wrong'un, full and on middle. Holder picks it from the hand and lunges for the block.
Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, From around the wicket, short and flat, on middle. Tewatia watchfully tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
STRATEGIC BREAK! The Titans are just 19 away from the win now and it looks like they are going to cross the finish line with plenty of overs to spare. The chase has been exhilarating because either there's been boundaries flowing or wickets tumbling. GT seem to have taken a calculated risk and at the expense of a few wickets more, they are all but certain to give their net run rate a real boost. RCB still need to believe and if they get a couple of quick wickets after the break, things can get pretty close. Still, not a single over from Krunal Pandya as Suyash Sharma continues.
- Jason Holder 11 (7)
- Rahul Tewatia 16 (9)
Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Back of a length, on middle, Jason Holder pulls it down toward the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. The fielder dives and attempts to stop the ball, but fails to make a clean stop. The deep square leg fielder runs to his left, and by that time the batters come back for the second.
Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Swing and a miss! Short of a length, on the fifth stump. Holder covers the stumps and attempts to pull it across, but the ball gets some extra bounce off the track and beats the upper edge.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Just outside off, back of a length. Rahul Tewatia hangs back and pats it to deep cover for a single.
Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Fullish, on the stumps, Jason Holder eases it to long on for a single.
Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Right into the blockhole, on middle, Jason Holder does well to jam it back to the bowler.
Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Oh, any other day that would have crashed back into the stumps. Across off, on a good length, Rahul Tewatia leaves nothing in the tank and swings for the hills. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and goes down to deep fine leg. They cross.
Earlier in the day, RCB’s innings was a story of rapid starts followed by a middle-order collapse. Virat Kohli provided early fireworks with a 21-run over against Kagiso Rabada, scoring 28 off 13 balls. However, the Titans' bowling unit, led by Arshad Khan (3 wickets), Jason Holder (2 wickets), and Rashid Khan (2 wickets), systematically dismantled the Bengaluru lineup. Despite a resilient 40 from Devdutt Padikkal, RCB was bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs.
GT’s chase was ignited by Gill’s assault on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, racing to 36 runs within the first two overs. Despite Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s valiant efforts with the ball—claiming three wickets including those of Gill and Jos Buttler—the early damage was too severe to overcome. A steadying partnership between Rahul Tewatia and Jason Holder effectively closed the door on any RCB comeback. Tewatia’s unbeaten 27 ultimately sealed the win, securing two vital points for the Titans with 25 balls to spare.
