The Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Gujarat Titans in Match 34 of the 2026 Indian Premier League, in their last home game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the league stage.
The defending champions were beaten by the Delhi Capitals on April 18, their first loss at home in 2026. Despite the two losses, they have been one of the teams to beat, and will look to get back to winning ways when the Titans come visiting.
The batting unit looks at its destructive best, and while the bowling unit is not
as threatening as in 2025, they stull have done brilliantly this season, picking up regular wickets and excelling at defensive bowling.
Here is RCB's strongest predicted XI vs GT for Match 34:
Top order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal (Impact)
Phil Salt and Virat Kohli work as one of the most fearsome opening pairs in the IPL. The English batter finally got himself in the runs after a slow start to the season with half-centuries against the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals.
At his best, he is one of the most destructive T20 batters, which allows Kohli to build his innings at his own pace. Kohli, though, has found a new lease of life in IPL 2026, striking at 173.1 in the powerplay, trying to take the game on from the start.
Devdutt Padikkal has looked like an upgraded batter in the 2026 season. Coming off the back of a prolific run in domestic cricket, he has scored 153 runs at a blistering strike rate of 177.91, solidifying his place at number 3 for the season.
Middle order: Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd
Rajat Patidar has been batting in sixth gear in IPL 2026. A feared spin-hitter, Patidar has taken his game to the next level, scoring 230 runs at a strike rate of 212.96. He has further improved his strike rate against pace, scoring at a whopping 220.5. Jitesh Sharma is yet to get going in IPL 2026, but he has been handy with both bat and gloves.
In Tim David and Romario Shepherd, the defending champions have not one but two of the most feared finishers in the T20 format. While Shepherd has yet to get underway, David has scored 173 runs at a strike rate of 203, including a magnificent 25-ball 70 against the Chennai Super Kings.
Lower order/bowlers: Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
Krunal Pandya, who is a recognised batter himself, bats at number 8 in the side, showing RCB's batting depth. He has been called upon above when necessary during collapses. But it is with the ball that Krunal has been vital. He has picked up eight wickets in six games as RCB’s lead spinner and has been at his defensive best while bowling.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar has been RCB’s best bowler in the 2026 season, picking up wickets with both the new ball and in the death overs. Josh Hazlewood is still finding his feet after missing the early games, and Rasikh Salam has filled in well as the third bowler, picking up five wickets in three games. Suyash Sharma, while picking up just four wickets, has bowled with control for the defending champions.
RCB Predicted XI vs GT:
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal
