Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Highlights & Results

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!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, 2 runs.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, 1 run.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, 2 runs.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!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.

Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, No run.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, No run.Good-length delivery, on middle, Rashid Khan bunts it back to Shepherd.

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, 1 run.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, 1 run.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, 1 run.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, No run.On a hard length, just outside off, Rahul Tewatia dabs it to cover.

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Wide!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.

Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, No run.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! c Devdutt Padikkal b Suyash Sharma.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, 1 run.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!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, 1 run.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, No run.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, 1 run.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.

Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, 2 runs.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, No run.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, 1 run.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, 1 run.Fullish, on the stumps, Jason Holder eases it to long on for a single.

Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, No run.Right into the blockhole, on middle, Jason Holder does well to jam it back to the bowler.

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, 1 run.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.

Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, 1 run.Shorter and on off, Tewatia angles it wide of point and gets to the other end. 24 more needed for GT.

Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Four!FOUR! Gets it away! Looped up, slower and fuller, on middle, Rahul Tewatia gets into the position for the reverse and swings at it ungainly. Gets it off an under edge but fine of the man at short third for four more. Not sure GT would want Tewatia to take such a risk.

Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Four!FOUR! Too short and put away! A half-tracker, on middle and leg. Tewatia needs no second invitation as he rocks back, swivels and pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, No run.Rapped on the pads! Pushed through, across off, Tewatia sinks to a knee for the sweep and gets hit on the pads but outside the line of the off stump.

Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, No run.Slips in the googly, full and on off. Tewatia dabs it beside the strip on the off side. He is keen for a single but Holder sends him back as Patidar was quick on the ball from slip.

Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle. This is eased to long on for a single.

Suyash Sharma is back on, replacing Josh Hazlewood in the attack.

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Four!FOUR! 34 more runs required for GT with that boundary. Shepherd pitches it up, around the pads of the batter. Rahul Tewatia rolls his wrists and tickles it away toward the deep fine leg fence. End of an eventful over. Two wickets and 13 runs from it.

Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, 1 run.Hard-length delivery, around off, Jason Holder guides it to third man and gets a single.

Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Six!SIX! Off the mark in style! Romario Shepherd bangs this one on the deck to offer a bouncer on middle and leg. Jason Holder rocks back and hooks it over Josh Hazlewood at long leg for a six.

This game isn't over yet, it seems. Jason Holder walks out to bat next.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, OUT! lbw b Romario Shepherd.OUT! LBW! Two in the over for Romario Shepherd, and RCB's belief grows stronger. On a good length, on off. Sundar brings his bat out in front to defend. The ball skids through to go past the inside edge and catches Sundar on the crouched back leg on the flap of the pad. A prolonged appeal, and Romario is pleading with the umpire, but it is turned down. RCB are confident, and Rajat Patidar sends it upstairs. No bat involved on UltraEdge. This looks straight, but where has this pitched? The Ball Tracking comes up as three reds with the ball crashing into the top of the off stump. 109/3 becomes 111/5 for the Titans.

A loud appeal for LBW is turned down. Seems pretty adjacent if there's no inside edge on it and Rajat Patidar does send it upstairs. Let's see what the third umpire finds...

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, 1 run.Much fuller, on the stumps, Rahul Tewatia nudges it to the leg side and gets a single.

Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Wide!WIDE! Romario Shepherd offers a bouncer, but it flies way over the batter. Rahul Tewatia makes a leave and gets the bonus run for the team.

The next batter in is Rahul Tewatia. He comes in as the Impact Sub for GT, replacing Mohammed Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj is substituted by Rahul TewatiaMohammed Siraj is substituted by Rahul Tewatia

Romario Shepherd to Shahrukh Khan, OUT! c Josh Hazlewood b Romario Shepherd.OUT! CAUGHT! A steepler, but Josh Hazlewood holds on. Shepherd bangs it in short, over off. Shahrukh swivels and swings hard for the pull but the ball kicks up a bit to take the top edge. It is skied towards deep fine leg, where Hazlewood keeps his eyes on the ball as he looks to settle under it. The ball is swerving in the air, and Josh seems to have it covered, but at the last moment, he has to lean forward. He gets both hands out in front and clings to the ball. GT lose their 4th wicket for 109, needing 47 more runs. Can RCB sneak in another quick wicket?

Halfway through the chase, it is GT's game to lose from here.

Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, 1 run.A single to end and Josh Hazlewood finishes his spell with figures of - 4-0-56-0, a very rare expensive and wicketless spell for 'the Hoff.' Slower one, into the pitch, Khan nurdles it down wide to the right of the bowler and wants the single. There is some hesitation from Washington Sundar at the other end, but once the ball beats the bowler, they get the single with ease.

Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, Four!FOUR! Not perfectly timed but Shahrukh throws caution to the wind and picks up a boundary. Hard length around middle, Khan advances down the pitch and lofts it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Fuller in length, drifted onto the pads, Sundar stays crouched and works it way behind square leg for one more.

Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, 1 run.A bit shorter and straighter, worked off the hips and past square leg for a single by Shahrukh Khan.

Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, No run.Back of a length, over the off stump, Khan stays back and plays it late, dabbing it down to backward point.

Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, No run.Play and a miss. A full ball outside off, Khan charges at it and looks to go through covers but the ball beats the outside edge.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, Six!DROPPED AND SIX! A really tough chance, and Venkatesh Iyer hasn't managed to grasp it. Shortish length on middle and leg, Washington Sundar gets inside the line and hoicks it off the midriff towards deep square leg. Iyer is a bit more inside the fence and has to go back and move to his left as well. Iyer tries to reach up with one hand, but the ball just brushes the fingertips and goes over the fence.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, No run.Fuller, around off, Washington Sundar dabs it to mid-wicket.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, No run.Good-length delivery, around off, Washington Sundar knocks it to mid off.

Romario Shepherd to Shahrukh Khan, 1 run.Back of a length, on the fourth stump. Shahrukh Khan opens the face of the bat and steers it to the left of the backward point fielder, who fumbles and the batter gets the single.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, 1 run.On a length, on leg and middle, Washington Sundar nudges it with soft hands to long on for a single.

Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, No run.Romario Shepherd scoots from over the wicket to the left-hander and delivers on a hard length, just outside off. Washington Sundar rocks back and punches it straight to the point fielder.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Around the top of off and middle, wristed down to deep fine leg for a single by Sundar. 62 needed now off 72 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, No run.Hard length again, on middle and off, Washington Sundar prods halfway and pushes it down to mid off.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shahrukh Khan, 1 run.On a hard length, hitting the deck and this is bowled outside off. Shahrukh Khan stays upright and hits it wide to the right of deep backward point for a single.

The Royal Challengers have the big scalp of Jos Buttler. Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat with the Titans needing 64 runs from 75 balls. This is a test of Gujarat's middle order.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, OUT! b Bhuvneshwar Kumar.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has completely outfoxed Jos Buttler on this occasion. Bhuvi sees Buttler getting across to the off side once again and spears in a yorker on the leg stump. Bhuvi nails the yorker and Buttler looks to flick but ends up playing all around it. The ball rattles into the leg pole and Kumar has his third wicket of the game. The top three are now all dismissed for GT.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 2 runs.Bhuvi drags the length back a couple of inches, but again, Buttler moves to the off side and works it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, Four!FOUR! Lovely timing from Jos. Length ball, trying to slant it back into the stumps. Buttler gets ahead and gets across to the off side, tucking it away neatly past mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence.

STRATEGIC BREAK! No shortage of action in the first 7 overs of the chase. RCB have managed to dismiss Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, but not before Gill unleashed himself on their new-ball attack. Jos Buttler has carried the momentum forward, and GT have already knocked off more than half the target. With 70 needed off 78 balls, it is now about batting sensibly from here, from the home side's perspective. RCB need a couple of quick wickets, and more than anyone, the wicket of Buttler. That could inject belief into their camp, considering that GT's middle order has not inspired much confidence so far this season. Rajat Patidar brings back Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his final over.

Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 1 run.Pitches it up, around off, Jos Buttler pushes it to wide of cover for a single. Not a great start from Suyash Sharma. 17 runs from his first over!

Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Serves the googly and it is slower, on a good length. Sundar punches it to deep cover for one.

Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 1 run.Pushed through, on a length, on the pads. That is flicked off the back foot to long on for a run.

Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Six!SIX! And again. The runs continue to flow for GT. Full-length delivery, just outside off. Jos Buttler plants his front foot forward and gets right underneath the delivery to park it over the long off fence for another massive six.

Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Six!SIX! Up, up and over! Sharma offers a bit of flight this time, pitching it fuller, on off. Jos Buttler clears his front foot and launches it over long on for a six.

Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Wide!WIDE! Suyash Sharma has to reload that one. Pitches it up, but darts it down the leg side. Jos Buttler looks to sweep it but misses.

Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Suyash Sharma jogs from over the wicket and bowls much fuller, wide outside off. Washington Sundar leans on the delivery and drives it to deep cover for a single.

End of a lively Powerplay. It is time for spin as the leggie Suyash Sharma has been tossed the ball.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Six!SIX! Even better from Buttler and GT end the Powerplay at 69/2. A length ball from Josh, angled in at the stumps. Buttler just gets under the trajectory of the ball and clobbers it down the ground, over long on for a biggie.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Four!FOUR! Up and over. Pitched fuller around off, Jos Buttler takes a stride back into the crease and puts his hands through the ball, nailing it over wide mid off for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, No run.Similar length, straighter this time, Jos dabs it into the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, No run.That's well bowled. Seam-up delivery, at 142.9 clicks. This is bowled on the fifth stump line and straightens down the line. Buttler looks to punch it away but is undone by the extra bounce and is beaten past the outside edge.

Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, 1 run.Good length in the channel, angles across with some extra bounce. Washington Sundar plays it late and glides it down to deep third for one more.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 1 run.The in-between length and outside off, Buttler gets on his toes and cuts it through the point region for one.

A massive wicket for RCB. Shubman Gill's promising stay has been cut short. So, that's two out of the ever-reliant GT top three back in the hut inside the Powerplay. Washington Sundar joins Jos Buttler out in the middle.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, OUT! c Virat Kohli b Bhuvneshwar Kumar.OUT! CAUGHT! Hit like a tracer bullet but Virat Kohli pouches the catch without a fuss and he's absolutely pumped, giving Shubman Gill a bit of a sendoff as well by slamming the ball back into the turf. Length ball around off from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Gill skips down the pitch and laces the drive but he does so uppishly. Kohli, stationed at short cover, squats down and takes it in reverse cup style. 99 needed now off 90 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 1 run.Back of a length, outside off, Buttler comes down the pitch and taps it in front of mid off for a quick single.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, No run.A big swing and a miss, making it three dots on the trot here. Good length, around the top of off. Jos Buttler charges down the pitch and tries to hammer it over extra cover but fails to connect. Jitesh Sharma keeps Buttler on his toes as he underarms a throw towards the stumps, but misses.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, No run.Fuller this time, angled back in from outside off at 135.8 kph. Buttler leans ahead and defends it back to the bowler.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, No run.Good length, in the channel, Buttler gets across to the off side and defends it down to backward point.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, 1 run.Oh, a direct hit and Shubman Gill would have been run out. Hard length around off, Gill bunts it down in front of mid off and scampers through for a single. He dives in to make his ground as the throw goes wide of the stumps at the non-striker's end.

Third over in the Powerplay for Bhuvneshwar Kumar as RCB know the importance of getting Buttler and Gill early.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Six!SIX! Adding insult to injury. Back of a length and outside off, Jos Buttler shuffles across again, and this time he connects the lap to perfection, sending it sailing over fine leg for a six.

Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, No run.Oh, is that a dropped chance? Rajat Patidar has his hands on his head and it seems like Jitesh Sharma has put down Jos Buttler. How costly is this going to be? Short ball, well outside off, Buttler shuffles across to lap but gets it off the glove. The ball lobs behind and the keeper hops to his right but fails to pouch it.