The Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Gujarat Titans in Match 42 of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The defending champions thrashed the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, bowling them out for 75 and chasing the target down in just 6.3 overs. They have been one of the most dominant sides in the IPL, and with six wins in eight matches, sit in a comfortable position. They beat the Titans in the reverse fixture at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium by five
wickets, making light work of a 206-run chase, despite losing a cluster of wickets late in the innings. They head to Ahmedabad hoping to do the double over the Titans.
Here is RCB's strongest predicted XI for Match 42 vs GT:
Top order: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell (Impact), Devdutt Padikkal
Virat Kohli against the Capitals became the first player in history to reach the milestone of 9000 IPL runs. He has looked in brilliant form as always, scoring 351 runs at 162.50. He has been the anchor in the batting lineup but now takes on the bowlers in the powerplay, scoring at a strike rate of 161 in the first six overs. Jacob Bethell is expected to keep his place at the top of the order, with there not yet being any updates on the fitness of Phil Salt. The English starlet has yet to make a significant mark in the 2026 IPL, but his talent is unquestionable.
Devdutt Padikkal has evolved into a more dominant and attacking version of himself, taking on both spinners and pacers from the get-go. He has added impetus to the innings batting at three, and while he has scored 242 runs, his strike rate of 192.06 is what has stood out for the defending champions.
Middle order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd
Rajat Patidar has assumed the role of middle-overs enforcer for the defending champions, adjusting his entry points in such a way that he is able to take on spinners. The RCB skipper has largely improved his hitting vs pace as well, and with 238 runs at a whopping strike rate of 210.61, he has been one of the team's most important batters. Jitesh Sharma has been brilliant with the gloves but has yet to have a significant impact with the bat.
In Tim David and Romario Shepherd, the Bengaluru-based franchise has two of the best finishers in the T20 circuit. While Shepherd has yet to get going with the bat, the Australian power hitter scored a magnificent 25-ball 70 against the Chennai Super Kings, but it happens to be his only significant contribution this season.
Bowlers: Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar
Krunal Pandya has been RCB's lead spinner, with nine wickets in this season. He has been a brilliant defensive option with the ball and showed his mettle with the bat in the reverse fixture with a cameo to take the Royal Challengers home. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar currently leads the Purple Cap race with 14 wickets and wrecked the Delhi Capitals early in the powerplay along with Aussie speedster Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood has eight wickets in five games and was at his best when he picked up four wickets against the Delhi Capitals. Suyash Sharma has picked up six wickets in seven games as the second spinner of the team. Rasikh Dar has filled in as the third pacer with six scalps in five games.
Predicted RCB Playing XI for Match 42 of IPL 2026 vs GT:
Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar
Impact Player: Jacob Bethell
