RCB vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026: Krunal Pandya finishes in style as Bengaluru win by 5 wickets

What does Saturday have in store? April 25 brings the last double-header Saturday of the season. First up, it will be a battle of the north in the capital as the Delhi Capitals take on the unbeaten Punjab Kings. The first ball in Delhi will be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). Later in the evening, the action will shift to Jaipur, where the Rajasthan Royals face the Sunrisers Hyderabad. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

As it stands - With this win, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru climb up to the second spot, with 5 wins in 7 games, including 4 wins in 5 matches at home in Bengaluru. They will play their remaining two home games in Raipur, but up next for them is a trip to Delhi to face the Capitals on Monday, 27th April. As for the Gujarat Titans, they drop to 7th in the standings, having suffered their fourth defeat in 7 games. It is a quick turnaround for them as they travel to Chennai to take on the Super Kings on Sunday, 26th April, in the afternoon game.

The skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says there are plenty of learnings from the game. He is pleased with the way Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood started, and also highlights the execution of yorkers at the death. He adds that Suyash Sharma chipped in well too. Patidar mentions that restricting GT to around 200 felt like a good outcome and a total they can chase. Further says that the bowlers stuck to their plans in the final few overs, and the execution was spot on, which helped in pulling things back. Rajat says the way Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli started was excellent and that set the tone. He also praises Devdutt Padikkal, calling his knock special. Admits they lost a flurry of wickets in the middle phase, which is something to reflect on. Patidar shares that there are learnings from this game, and the focus now is on identifying the errors and working to rectify them going forward.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH -  Virat Kohli wins the award for his stunning knock of 81 runs from 44 balls. He is also handed the Orange Cap. Kohli says they had to assess the conditions early on and felt they were just one partnership away. Adds that the idea was to stay in the game and keep analysing the situation. Virat acknowledges the brilliance of Devdutt Padikkal's innings, identifying it as the clear difference-maker that allowed him to stay focused on his own game while that crucial partnership changed the momentum in their favour. Kohli praises the bowlers for a magnificent performance despite the spinners struggling to find a grip on the surface, explaining that once a player understands the conditions, they can truly back themselves. Kohli mentions that the team's message was aggressive and free of doubt, with a collective belief that stems from having high-potential players who can put pressure on the opposition. Reckons that the power of Tim and Romario, combined with the cricket smarts of Krunal Pandya as a major source of confidence for the group, noting how the team's overall depth. VK concludes by praising the special atmosphere at the Chinnaswamy, which has contributed to their brilliant start of four home wins, and they are looking to come back and play again if they could later in the tournament.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Set up well, finished short - After being asked to bat first, the Gujarat Titans' openers took their time early on before a flurry of boundaries from Sai Sudharsan got them going. He faced a major share of the balls in that 128-run opening stand with Shubman Gill and kept the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate. Sai went on to notch up his third IPL ton, but his dismissal heading into the death overs stalled the momentum. From where GT were placed at 170/2 with 4 overs left, RCB pulled things back well, conceding just 34 runs in the final 4 overs. What could have been a 220-230 total ended up just past 200, and with the way this RCB outfit is set up, even that might not have been enough, but it certainly would have given GT a better chance of a win.

Let's now hear from one of RCB's stars - Devdutt Padikkal says that he has put a lot of effort into ball-striking, and it is good to see all of that come good. DDP adds that self-belief is something he needed, and the team management has inculcated that in him with the confidence they have shown in him. Padikkal reckons that it is important to play according to the situation, and in a chase over 200, Powerplay usage becomes key, and this is why they play with an aggressive intent up front. Devdutt concludes by saying that due to the batting depth they have, the top order has the liberty to play freely, and that's what they will be looking to do in the games ahead as well.

Words from the GT skipper - Shubman Gill says that from 16th to 19th over, they couldn't get as many runs as they would have wanted, and that pulled the score back a bit. Gill reckons that the lack of wicket-taking in the middle phase is what has ultimately cost them this contest. Gill adds that when a batter gets dropped on zero, it is always a tough pill to swallow, but how a team comes back from that is what matters. Gill concludes by saying that when they were batting, the slower one was gripping a lot, and that is what compelled him to go with Suthar in the 18th over. Shubman credits Sai for his century, saying Sai wasn't all that happy about his dismissals in the previous game, and it was just about time that his runs came.

One chance too many - As they say, this game isn't played on what-ifs or what could have been, but on what you do in the moment. Virat Kohli was dropped on 0 in the first over, and he is the last man you want to give a chance to in a run chase. He quickly put that behind him, found his rhythm, and the Gujarat Titans were made to pay dearly. Jacob Bethell fell early, but Devdutt Padikkal got off the blocks quickly, and his 59-ball 115-run partnership with Kohli set up the chase nicely. RCB did lose a flurry of wickets towards the end as they tried to finish things off in a hurry. That gave GT a fleeting hope of conjuring something, but nothing more than that, as Tim David and Krunal Pandya joined hands to get the job done for the home side.

Royal entertainment in Bengaluru - The defending champions ace the chase in what was their final league stage game in Bengaluru. They were up against it for most of the innings with the ball, but did well to pull things back at the back end, and then their batters took care of the rest. As for the Gujarat Titans, they left a few runs out there with the bat, and that's something you can’t afford against an RCB batting unit that packs so much punch.

18.5: Jason Holder to Krunal Pandya, Bouncer on middle and leg, Krunal gets his hands high and pulls this to deep backward square leg and scores the winning run. RCB has won their final league game of the season at Chinnaswamy by 5 wickets and 7 balls to spare. 

18.4: Jason Holder to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! SCORES ARE LEVEL! Short again, on middle and leg, Krunal Pandya pulls this flat and into the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for four runs. 

18.3: Jason Holder to Tim David, On a length, around middle and leg, Tim David slogs this off the inside half of his bat towards deep mid-wicket for a run. 

18.2: Jason Holder to Krunal Pandya, RCB are just one biggie away now. Short and on middle and leg, Krunal Pandya fends this through square leg for one.

18.1: Jason Holder to Krunal Pandya, Slower one, around off, going across the batter. Krunal Pandya looks to cut this through backward point but misses out.

17.6: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, Quicker one, on middle and off, Krunal Pandya tucks this to the left of the bowler for a single. 

17.5: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, SIX! A calculated shot from Krunal and he gets rewarded for his aggressive intent. Length dragged back a bit, on middle and off, Krunal Pandya slogs this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie. 

17.4: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, Darted onto the pads of Krunal and he jams this out.

17.3: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, Fired around off, Krunal Pandya pushes this towards extra cover.

17.2: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! KRUNAL IS IN A HURRY! Fuller, on middle and off, Krunal Pandya goes down on a knee and slog sweeps this towards the right of deep mid-wicket for another boundary.

17.1: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Tossed up, around middle and off, Krunal Pandya gets right underneath it and smashes this up and over the bowler for a boundary in front of the sight screen. 

16.6: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, Back of a length, around off, Tim David pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

16.5: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, SIX! Top edge, but it goes all the way. On a length, around off, Tim David keeps his head down and swings at it with all his might. The ball catches a top edge and flies over the fielder at third man for a six.

16.5: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, WIDE! A sharp bumper, way too high on the batter. Wided.

16.4: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, Hard length, around off, shaping a shade away from the power-hitter. Tim David looks to slog across the line but gets beaten. 

16.3: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, Swing and a miss. Short and around leg, it was there for the taking. Tim David swings at it but misses out on a clean connection and gets rapped on the gloves. 

16.2: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, Back of a length, around middle and off, Krunal Pandya plays this late and guides this to deep third for one run. 

16.1: Kagiso Rabada to Tim David, Good length, around middle and off, Tim David guides this to deep third for one.

15.6: Manav Suthar to Tim David, Quicker one, on off, Tim David cuts this to sweeper cover for a single. 

15.5: Manav Suthar to Tim David, Pushed through on off, Tim David drives this to covers.

15.4: Manav Suthar to Krunal Pandya, Tossed up, on the pads, Krunal Pandya flicks this to deep backward square leg for a single. 

STRATEGIC BREAK! In their push to finish the chase quickly, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have lost a flurry of wickets. That has kept the Gujarat Titans believing. They still have Romario Shepherd to come, and as for Krunal Pandya, who had a bit of a groin issue earlier, it remains to be seen whether he can come out to bat if needed. With 33 runs needed off 27 balls, it is still RCB's game to lose here, but we have seen crazier things happen in IPL. Could this be one of those nights? Right, out walks Krunal Pandya.

15.3: Manav Suthar to Rajat Patidar, OUT! CAUGHT! Flighted, around leg. Rajat Patidar moves away from the stumps and looks to hit this big in the straight V but miscues this off the cue end of his bat and the ball hangs high towards the extra cover region. Washington Sundar runs over his right shoulder from cover and takes a good catch to send the RCB skipper back in the dugout. 

15.2: Manav Suthar to Tim David, Flighted around off, Tim David pushes this to sweeper cover and rotates the strike.

15.1: Manav Suthar to Rajat Patidar, Short of a length, around off, spinning away from the batter. Rajat Patidar punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Tim David is in next. Manav Suthar has been introduced into the attack.

14.6: Rashid Khan to Jitesh Sharma, OUT! Short of a length, around off, Jitesh Sharma hops onto his back foot and smashes this flat and towards the left of extra cover. Manav Suthar dives to his left and takes a good catch to send Jitesh back. 35 needed from 30 balls.

14.5: Rashid Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Quicker and flatter around off, Jitesh Sharma looks to swing this out of the park but misses out on any sort of connection with the ball. 

14.4: Rashid Khan to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! Jitesh goes big. Full and around off, Jitesh Sharma gets right underneath it and smashes this up and over the fence towards the long off region for a biggie. 

14.3: Rashid Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Quicker one, full and around off, Jitesh Sharma plays a proper front foot block to keep this out. Shouts of LBW by the keeper and the bowler but the umpire turns it down. 

14.2: Rashid Khan to Rajat Patidar, Flighted, around middle and leg, Rajat Patidar flicks this to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

14.1: Rashid Khan to Rajat Patidar, SIX! Flighted, around off, Rajat Patidar takes a step towards the pitch of the ball and smashes this up and over the tall figure of Jason Holder at long off for a six.

13.6: Jason Holder to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Nicely done! Holder goes short, on off. Jitesh gets on his toes and manages to get on top of the bounce before pulling it towards deep mid-wicket for a four. RCB need 48 runs from 36 balls.

13.5: Jason Holder to Jitesh Sharma, This is on a hard length, over middle. Jitesh gets his hands high and taps it back to Holder.

Two wickets in two overs for GT, but has the damage been done? Time will tell. Jitesh Sharma walks out next in the middle. 

13.4: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Virat Kohli admonishes himself as he slams the pads with his bat. He wanted to see the team home himself, but now it will have to be someone else. Holder rolls his fingers over the ball, serves it short and outside off, Kohli rises with the bounce to pull it away in front of square. The ball does not rise as much as Virat anticipated it would, and takes the inside edge before crashing into the sticks. This has come against the run of play and the crowd has gone silent. 52 needed off 38 balls. 

13.3: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, SIX! Flat hit, but the result is the same. Has to be the shot of the evening. Holder serves it on a good length, on middle. With mid off inside the circle, Kohli dances down the track. He holds his shape and presents a straight bat to go down the ground. Hits it over mid off for half a dozen more.

13.2: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, SIX! Lovely hit! Even Kohli is amazed by the way it came out of his bat. Angled into the pads, on a length, Kohli brings his bottom hand into play and whips it away off the pads over mid-wicket for a six.

13.1: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, On top of off, on a short of a length, Kohli pats it back to Holder with a straight bat.

13.1: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, Wide! Sprayed down leg by Holder, Kohli is not interested in playing at that.

In the last 2 overs, RCB have scored just 10 runs and lost a wicket as well. 

12.6: Rashid Khan to Rajat Patidar, Sticks to the googly, short and quick, on middle. Rajat punches it to cover.

Rajat Patidar comes out to bat for RCB. 

12.5: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! TIMBER! The googly does the trick for Rashid Khan. From around the wicket, this is on a length, on off and middle. Devdutt Padikkal shimmies down the track and does not quite get to the pitch of the ball. He swings to go back over the bowler's head, but the ball lands and spins past his outside edge to hit the top of the middle stump. Padikkal was so far out that he would have been stumped had the ball not hit the stumps. The 115-run stand has been broken. RCB are 140/2, chasing 206.

12.4: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Short and on off, Kohli goes back and punches it from the crease to long off for one.

12.3: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Around leg, on the shorter side, DDP goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid wicket for a single.

12.2: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Full and on off, drilled to long off for a single.

12.1: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Floated up, on off, Kohli backs away and opens up the front hip. He gets his hands out in front and launches it down the ground. Prasidh Krishna is a bit wide at long off and he cannot cut it off as he is beaten to his right.

11.6: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Missed out! Holder sprays it on the pads, full in length. Devdutt Padikkal has a big swing at it but misses. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat. Half a shout for caught behind by Jos Buttler, but actually, the ball brushed the pads on the way to the keeper. GT finally manage to slip in a quiet over. Just 3 runs off it.

11.5: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, At the sticks, on a good length. This is turned to deep square leg for a run.

11.4: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, A loopy yorker, on middle and leg. Kohli gets the front pad out of the way and drops his bat down on the ball to keep it out.

11.3: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, This does not quite come out right out of the hand for Holder. This is a bit too short and DDP plays a controlled pull through square leg for one.

11.2: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Skidding through, across off, on a back of a length. Padikkal walks across for the pull but the ball sneaks under the blade.

11.1: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, Holder bashes the back of a length, on off. Kohli pulls it through mid-wicket and crosses over.

10.6: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, On a hard length, on off, Kohli runs it down to deep third for one. 13 runs off the over. 75 runs needed from 54 balls.

10.5: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, SIX! Have some of that, says Kohli. Rabada drifts on the pads again, full in length. Virat brings his bottom hand into play and with a still head at the point of contact, he whips it with ease over mid-wicket for a biggie. The 100-run stand comes up!

10.4: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! All too easy for Virat. Too straight, too full, on the pads, Kohli helps it to the left of the man at short fine leg for a four.

10.3: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, A proper short ball by Rabada, over middle. Kohli tries to take it on but misses.

10.2: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, On off, on a back of a length, Padikkal punches it to mid off, where Shubman Gill lets it through and concedes a single.

10.1: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FIFTY FOR VIRAT! 66th of his IPL career and the third of this season. Post being dropped on 0, it has been a chanceless knock from Kohli. Dug in short by Kagiso, on middle and leg. Virat gets his hands high and drags the pull through mid-wicket for a single.

Halfway through, RCB are bossing this run chase. A couple of quick wickets are needed for GT to come back into this contest. In search of a breakthrough, Shubman Gill turns to Kagiso Rabada.

9.6: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Quicker one, on off, Virat Kohli punches this wide of cover for a single. 

9.5: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Full and on off, Devdutt Padikkal smashes this to deep square leg for just a single this time. 

9.4: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Royal entertainment as Devdutt Padikkal gets to his FIFTY. Short of a length, on middle and leg, Devdutt Padikkal goes down on a knee and sweeps this over the fence towards the deep square leg region to bring up his half-century. 

9.4: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Fuller, wide down the leg side. Devdutt Padikkal has a swing at it but misses. Wided.

9.3: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Into the stands for six more. Tossed up, wide of off, Devdutt Padikkal presses onto his front foot and lofts this inside out over covers for a massive six. 

9.2: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, That sounded like an edge. Tossed up, around off, going across the batter, Devdutt Padikkal looks to drive on the up but gets beaten. Jos fails to gather this cleanly and the ball drops to the ground. The sound was actually of the bat hitting the pad.

9.1: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Fuller onto the pads, Kohli flicks this to deep square leg for a single. 

8.6: Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! 100 comes up for RCB in 9 overs. Pitched up, around off, Devdutt Padikkal strides to the pitch of the ball and lofts this up and over the long off fielder for a biggie. 19 runs come off this Prasidh Krishna over. 

8.5: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Hard length, around off, Virat Kohli punches this to the left of Gill at mid off for a single. 

8.4: Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan is late to set off, and the ball does not carry to him. Good length, around the pads. Devdutt Padikkal doesn't time the flick well and mishits this towards deep backward square leg. Sai Sudharsan is caught on his heels, and the ball lands in front and to his left. One run taken. 

8.3: Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Excellent pick-up shot for a biggie. Back of a length and around the pads, Devdutt Padikkal picks it up with a flick and hits this over the fence towards the fine leg region for a biggie.  

8.2: Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Just a gentle glance away for four. Poor from Krishna as he bowls this on a back of a length and down the leg side, Devdutt Padikkal gets inside the line and glances this down to deep fine leg for four runs. 

8.1: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Short and around off, Virat gets up on his toes and hits this towards sweeper cover for one run.

7.6: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Quicker one, on off, Virat Kohli steps deep inside the crease and milks this to deep mid-wicket for one run. 

7.5: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter and fuller, around middle and leg, Devdutt Padikkal tucks this to fine leg for a single. 

7.4: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Fired onto the pads, Virat Kohli works this through square leg for a single. 

7.3: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Quicker one, around off, Virat Kohli collapses his back knee and slaps this to the left of extra cover for a boundary this time around.

7.2: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, SIX! That is bread and butter for Kohli. Short of a length, on middle and off, Virat Kohli stays on his back foot and pulls this over the fielder at the long on region for a huge six. 300th IPL six for Kohli. 

7.1: Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Fuller around off, Virat backs away and cuts this straight to point. 

STRATEGIC BREAK! An eventful first 7 overs in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru run chase. Gujarat Titans will still be thinking about the missed opportunity after dropping Virat Kohli on 0. They haven't bowled too badly, but this RCB pair has looked a step ahead so far. This does seem to be that kind of a wicket where, once the ball loses its hardness, scoring becomes a bit more challenging. So far, so good for the home side, but from Gujarat's perspective, the need is to break this stand and build from there. Rashid Khan to bowl after the break.

6.6: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Short and wide of off, Virat Kohli looks to pull this towards deep mid-wicket but ends up hitting this from the bottom of his bat and takes a run as the ball rolls to silly mid on. 136 runs required from 78 balls.

6.5: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Good length, around off, Virat Kohli blocks this around covers for no run.

6.4: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Now this is an adjustment of the highest order. Kohli charges down the deck before Krishna releases the ball and Prasidh Krishna darts this short and into the batter. Virat Kohli just opens his bat face a bit more and guides this to the right of the man at backward point for four runs. 

6.3: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Kohli hits this away to the fence for four. Good length, around off, Virat Kohli rides the bounce and lofts this up and over short cover for a boundary. 

6.2: Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Slightly on the short side, around middle and off, Virat Kohli pulls this to the right of Kagiso Rabada at deep square leg and scampers back for the second. 

6.1: Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length, around the pads, Devdutt Padikkal tucks this to fine leg for one.

We are done with the Powerplay. No spin just yet as Shubman Gill is sticking to pace. Prasidh Krishna has been called into the attack.

5.6: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Back of a length, around the hips of DP. The batter flicks this through square leg for a single. GT at this stage were 57 for no loss while RCB are 58/1.

5.5: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, Full and onto the pads, Virat Kohli tucks this to the right of mid-wicket and takes one run. 

5.4: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, Hard length, on top of off, Virat Kohli looks for a dab and run but Devdutt refuses as Jason Holder fields this well in his follow-through. 

5.3: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Holder is probably being a bit too predictable with the short stuff here. Another short one, on middle and off, Virat Kohli was up for it, and he pulls this in front of square on the leg side for a boundary towards the deep mid-wicket region. 

5.2: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Short-pitched delivery, on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal gets a tad late into the pull but gets it rolled through mid-wicket for a single. 

5.1: Jason Holder to Virat Kohli, Back of a length, around off, Virat Kohli looks to get on top of the bounce and punch this towards the off side but ends up with an inside edge that rolls to the leg side for one.

Jason Holder comes into the attack. 

4.6: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Hold the pose, Devdutt. Siraj pitches it up but gets the line wrong. Offers width on off, Padikkal frees his arms and gets low to get under the ball. Lofts it stylishly inside out over cover for a biggie. The 50 comes up for RCB at the end of the 5th over. 156 needed from 90 balls.

4.5: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Goes past the bat again! Siraj delivers it on a hard length, across off. Devdutt arches back and throws the kitchen sink at it but is beaten on the outside edge.

4.4: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, A play and a miss! Leaving the left-hander with the angle, on a short of a length. Padikkal sets up to work it behind point with an open bat face but misses.

4.3: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, On a nagging length, on off and middle. Devdutt Padikkal walks across and gets behind the line before pushing it back to Siraj.

4.2: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Better line, just outside the off stump, on a short of a length. DDP pats it to cover.

4.1: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Easy pickings! Siraj has, at times, been too straight against the left-handers tonight, and he has been made to pay this time. Shaping back in at the hips, Padikkal glances it down to the deep fine leg region for a four.

Time for Jason Holder? Not yet, as Siraj is ready to bowl his third. 

3.6: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, Bashes the hard length, on off, Devdutt runs it down to deep third with an open bat face and keeps the strike with a single. 14 runs off the over!

3.5: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Rabada stays on that back of a length, on off, Virat steers it to deep third and crosses over.

3.4: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, Hits the back of a length, on off, DDP uses the angle and works it behind point for a run.

3.3: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! No sighters needed for Padikkal. Rabada hurls it full, on the pads at 153 kph. Padikkal stays still at the point of impact and plays the pick-up shot over backward square leg for a six.

3.2: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, The length is pulled back now, on the off stump. Virat angles it behind point and turns the strike over.

3.1: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Sublime! Slightly too full and angled into the pads, Kohli stays rooted to the crease and brings his bottom hand into play. Plays it uppishly but wide enough of the diving mid-wicket fielder.

Devdutt Padikkal walks out at 3 for RCB.

2.6: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! A sharp grab from Shahrukh Khan and Siraj is pumped. Angling across, on the fuller side. Jacob Bethell moves towards the leg side to open the off side. Exposes all three stumps and looks to flay it over point. His weight stays on the back foot as he flashes at the ball. He fails to get the desired elevation on the lofted hit and Shahrukh at point takes a good catch over his head in reverse cup style with a small jump.

2.5: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Not well timed, but it does the job for Bethell. Around leg, on a length. Bethell moves towards the leg side and swings at it. Gets it more off the inner half to the left of mid-wicket for four more.

2.4: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Tucking the batter up for room, on a shortish length, Jacob defends it off the back foot. Siraj picks the ball up and fakes a throw at the batter.

2.3: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! The short ball is dispatched. Going away, Jacob gives himself room by backing away and slaps it hard and through point for a boundary.

2.2: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Siraj hits the back of a length, on off, Virat steers it behind point and gets to the other end.

2.1: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, On a good length, honing in on the off stump. Kohli comes forward and drives it to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

1.6: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, This rushes Kohli up, on a short of a length, on middle. Virat is beaten on the inside edge. He wears it on the thigh pad and the ball deflects behind point for a leg bye.

1.5: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Beaten! This skids through, in the channel on off, on a hard length. Kohli pokes at it and is lucky not to nick this one behind.

1.4: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Hit with real authority! Rabada bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Kohli stands tall and takes on the short ball off the front foot. Plays it with a flat bat over mid on for his 800th four in the IPL.

1.3: Kagiso Rabada to Jacob Bethell, Uppish but safe! Across off, on a good length. Jacob plays the drive away from his body. Gets it off the outer half uppishly but through the vacant backward point region for a single.

1.2: Kagiso Rabada to Jacob Bethell, On top of off, Bethell lets the ball come to him this time and taps it down the strip.

1.1: Kagiso Rabada to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Oh, that could have crashed back into the stumps on any other day. This nips back, on a good length, wobble seam ball, on off and middle. Bethell pushes out in front of his body. The ball takes the inside edge and goes behind the stumps. Jos Buttler flings himself to his right but is beaten and the ball races away.

A brilliant start with the ball by Mohammed Siraj. It will be Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end. 

0.6: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Siraj strays on the hips, on the shorter side. Bethell is beaten on the glance. The ball clips the pads and drops on the leg side for a leg bye.

0.5: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Over the off stump, on a back of a length, Kohli dabs it down to deep third and crosses over.

0.4: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Angled into the pads, on a length, Virat wrists it through square leg. A fumble in the deep by the fielder allows the batters to take the second run.

0.3: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, DROPPED! Would you believe it? Washington Sundar puts down a sitter. Nice and full, attacking the front pad. Kohli brings his bat out in front and is early into the flick. Chips it to mid-wicket, where Sundar moves to his left and is on the move when the ball hits his palms. The ball pops out and drops to the ground after hitting his palm.

0.2: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Bethell and RCB are underway! A little too straight, at the hips and the length is pulled back. Jacob turns it to the left of mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.

0.1: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Good cricket all around! Siraj pitches it up, around the off stump. Not much movement on offer. Bethell presses forward and plays a punchy drive straight to the man at a catching cover.

We are all set for an exciting run chase. Virat Kohli walks out with a new partner in Jacob Bethell, who comes in as an impact substitute for Suyash Sharma, at the top to open the innings for RCB. Mohammed Siraj will be bowling the first over for Gujarat Titans. Prasidh Krishna also comes in as an impact substitue for GT in place of Rahul Tewatia. 

... The Run Chase ...

The stage is set for a solid chase - The Royal Challengers now face a challenging task to overhaul this total. However, with the memory of their recent 250-run feat against the Super Kings fresh in their minds, the home side would remain optimistic. This doesn't look like the usual Bengaluru deck that favours the batters, so the RCB openers might be required to have a blast while the ball is hard and new. Stay tuned for the chase.

A quick chat with the centurion - Sai Sudharsan expresses his gratitude and satisfaction after contributing to the team, noting that he has been timing the ball well over his recent innings. He explains that despite the wicket appearing two-paced and sticky at the start, his strong communication with Shubman Gill allowed them to read the conditions quickly. Sai also adds that both he and Gill backed their natural instincts and played every ball at its merit which helped them gain the upper hand in the Powerplay and set a good tone for the rest of the innings. 

RCB’s bowling struggles and late breakthroughs - It was a challenging outing for the bowlers of RCB in their final home game of the league season. Despite Rajat Patidar’s tactical rotations and a spirited effort from Suyash Sharma, the lone wicket-taker among the spinners for RCB, the lack of early breakthroughs proved costly. Josh Hazlewood finally provided some relief by removing the centurion Sudharsan in the 16th over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar got rid of Jos in the 18th over, which helped RCB keep the target in check. 

Skipper Gill played the anchor - Shubman Gill provided the perfect foil for Sudharsan’s aggression, looking in vintage touch during their opening stand. The Titans' skipper contributed 32, ensuring the visitors capitalised in the middle phase to put RCB on the back foot immediately. While Gill was eventually dismissed by Suyash Sharma, his departure didn’t slow the momentum, as the platform was already laid for the middle order to continue the onslaught.

Sudharsan’s century uplifts GT - In a masterclass of proper cricketing strokeplay, Sai Sudharsan spearheaded the Gujarat Titans' charge with a sensational 57-ball century, helping GT to score 205 after 20 overs. Sudharsan dismantled the Bengaluru attack from the outset. His ability to find gaps with surgical accuracy and clear the ropes at will kept the vocal home crowd uncharacteristically quiet, as he dictated the tempo of the game to set up a solid total.

19.6: Krunal Pandya to Washington Sundar, Sundar will feel that he missed out. Krunal errs as he dishes out a low full toss, Washington can't take full toll and hits it along the ground to long on for just one run. 18 runs off the final over and GT finish with 205/3.

19.5: Krunal Pandya to Jason Holder, Out comes the bumper, outside off. Jason stands tall and drags the pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

19.4: Krunal Pandya to Jason Holder, FOUR! Devdutt Padikkal should have done better there. Holder walks across the stumps before the release. Krunal looks to keep it away from Jason's arc. It ends up being a friendly low full toss, outside off. Holder extends his hands and cracks the drive towards wide long off. The ball skips across the practice pitches, and even though Padikkal gets there by a sprint to his left and tumbles to make the stop, the ball goes under his body for a four. The 200 comes up for GT.

19.3: Krunal Pandya to Jason Holder, SIX! BANG! That has gone back many a mile. This is slowed down by Krunal, on a length, on middle. Holder uses his long reach to good effect as he reaches out in front and clobbers it over mid-wicket for half a dozen.

HALT! Krunal Pandya is feeling some discomfort and it appears to be the groin that's troubling him. For the time being, Krunal is looking set to bowl again. 

19.2: Krunal Pandya to Jason Holder, Good response! Fires in the yorker, outside off. Holder lets it be, thinking it is a wide but it sneaks just inside the tramline. Pandya feels a bit of a twinge in his groin after delivering the ball.

19.1: Krunal Pandya to Jason Holder, SIX! An ideal start to the final over for GT. Bowled with a low trajectory by Krunal on the around-the-wicket angle and well behind the crease. Angled in, on a length, on middle and leg. Holder clears the front leg and clubs it way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Rasikh Salam to bowl the last over of GT's innings. Salam is down in some pain and it appears to be cramps again. The physio is out in the middle and having a look at Salam. Rasikh Salam doesn't look good to continue and is walking back alongside the team physio. Krunal Pandya has chipped in and will now be bowling the final over of the innings.

18.6: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, Another fumble! Hazlewood slips in the yorker at the toes. Sundar gets the front leg out of the way and hurriedly drops his bat down. Gets an inside edge and the ball goes quickly to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at short fine leg. He lets it through his legs, but Bhuvi turns around and recovers to haul it in. A couple of runs to end the 19th over. Just 17 runs off the last 18 balls. Some time back, it looked like GT would go well beyond 200, but now the question is, will they even reach 200?

18.5: Josh Hazlewood to Jason Holder, Yorker, outside off, Jason firms the drive to long off and crosses over.

18.4: Josh Hazlewood to Jason Holder, Low full toss, on the off stump. Jason smashes it to extra cover, where a bad bounce for Rajat Patidar allows the batters to sneak in the second run. The ball parries away off Patidar's knee to long off.

18.3: Josh Hazlewood to Jason Holder, Well bowled! A sharp bumper at 132.4 kph, over middle. Holder swings hard for the pull but the ball keeps climbing and he fails to connect.

18.2: Josh Hazlewood to Jason Holder, Very full, angling in at the leg stump. Holder clears the front leg and smears it through square leg. Romario Shepherd moves to his left in the deep and mops it up. Two runs taken.

18.1: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, A yorker first up, on middle. Washington hits it down to long off for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl out. 

17.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, Good last couple of overs for RCB, 9 runs and the wicket of Jos Buttler from the last 12 balls. Bhuvi digs it in short and does not offer any pace, over middle. Sundar hops to unleash the pull but mistimes it in front of deep square leg. Romario Shepherd runs in off the ropes and nearly gets beaten by the spin but he manages to make the stop to his left eventually. Just a single.

17.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jason Holder, Yorker, just outside the off stump. Holder jams it out through point for a single.

Jason Holder walks out next in the middle. 

17.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! Jos Buttler falls. At any stage of the game, Buttler is a big wicket, but more so given the current state of the game. Kumar goes searching for the yorker but it comes out as a lowish full toss, on off and middle. Jos premeditates as he goes for the reverse scoop. He takes it on the full and looks to go over Josh Hazlewood at short third. Fails to get the desired elevation and Hazlewood takes the catch over his head.

17.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, Kumar serves the slower, short ball, across off. Washington Sundar gets his hands high and drags the pull wide of deep mid-wicket. The call is for two, but the sub fielder, Jordan Cox is swfit to his right and prevents the batters from taking the second run.

17.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, Bhuvi follows the right-hander with a yorker. Jos can't do much about it. He digs it out to point for a run.

17.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, Nice and tight, over off, on a back of a length. Washington steers it wide of backward point and gets to the other end.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-0-26-0) comes back into the attack.

16.6: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Yes, he does. Just 4 runs from the 17th over. Superb stuff. Suyash probably spotted Buttler backing away and he bowls this fast and away from the batter's hitting arc. Jos reaches out and slaps this short ball but can't get it past Rajat Patidar at extra cover.

16.5: Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, So far, so good from Suyash. Drags the length back and sticks to the googly, on off. Washington gets back and taps it to long off for a single. Can the leggie finish well?

16.4: Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, Floated up, wrong'un, full and on off. Washington Sundar lunges and angles it to backward point with an open bat face.

16.3: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Sliding into the right-hander, full in length. Buttler shimmies down the track and drills it to the right of long on. The batters think about the second run but Devdutt Padikkal moves to his right and keeps it to a single.

16.2: Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, Out comes the googly, on the shorter side, on off. Sundar watchfully tucks it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

16.1: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Pushed through, on the pads, on a good length. Buttler wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

15.6: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, FOUR! 15 runs and a wicket off this Josh over. Back of a length, around off, Washington Sundar cuts this past the right of deep point for a boundary. Tim David puts in a good effort, diving to his right, but fails to keep this inside the playing area.

15.5: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, SIX! Hammered over the fence for a biggie. Pitched up, around the pads, Washington Sundar stays really deep inside the crease and flicks this up and over the fielder towards the deep mid-wicket region for a huge six. 

15.4: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, On a length, around the pads, Washington Sundar tucks this straight to mid-wicket. 

A wonderful innings from Sai Sudharsan comes to an end. Washington Sundar walks in to bat now.

15.3: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A sharp, short one, on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan gets late on the pull and ends up spooning this straight back to the bowler off the upper half of the blade. Josh Hazlewood makes no mistake and holds onto a simple catch. Sai Sudharsan departs after playing a sensational knock of 100 off 58 balls.

15.2: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Good length, around off, Jos Buttler guides this to the left of Romario Shepherd at backward point for a single. 

15.1: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Wide yorker from Josh and Jos was up for it. Jos opens the face of his bat and guides this away to the fence for a boundary to the deep backward point region. 

Strategic Break! Gujarat Titans are looking flawless, and they are heading towards a mammoth total. Sai Sudharsan has completed his century, and Jos Buttler has got off to a strong start as well. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will have to put a lid on the scoring rate, and the best way to do that would be to chip away at the wickets. If this continues, RCB will end up with a huge total to chase. Rajat Patidar brings back Josh Hazlewood. Let's see how it pans out...

14.6: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Fired short and on off, Jos Buttler tucks this to the deep mid-wicket region for a single. 

14.5: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, SIX! Buttler goes big as well. Flighted, around middle and off, Jos Buttler reads the googly well and hits this with the turn for a biggie over the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie. 

14.4: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, CENTURY FOR SAI! Wrong'un around off, Sai Sudharsan cuts this towards the left of Romario Shepherd at sweeper cover for a single. Sudharsan brings up his 3rd IPL century in 57 balls. First century from a GT batter this season, and this has been a high knock of high quality from the talented left-hander.

14.3: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Fuller around the pads, Jos Buttler flicks this to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. Brings Sai on strike.

14.2: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Smashed off the back foot. Short of a length, wide outside off, Jos Buttler rises with the bounce and smashes this through the left of extra cover for four runs. 

14.1: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, Fuller around off, Sai Sudharsan cuts this to deep point for a single. 

13.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Wide yorker, around off, Sai gets close to the pitch of the ball and drives this to sweeper cover for one. 

13.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, On a length, around the pads, Jos pushes this down to long on for one.

13.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Slower short one, wide of off, Sai Sudharsan jumps up on his toes and cuts this to Tim David at deep point for a single. Sai moves to 97. 

13.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Low full-toss, onto the pads, Sai Sudharsan was up for it as he rises up on his toes and whips this through the left of the fielder at deep mid-wicket for four runs. 

13.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, On a length, around middle and leg, Jos Buttler flicks this down to long on for a single. 

13.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, Hard length, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler milks this through mid-wicket and hustles back for two. 

12.6: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Quicker one, on off, Jos Buttler gets back inside his crease and works this through square leg for one run. 

12.5: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, Googly onto the batter, around the pads. Jos Buttler misses out on the flick and gets it brushed off his pads to fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

The 128-run opening stand has been broken. In walks Jos Buttler at number 3.

12.4: Suyash Sharma to Shubman Gill, OUT! CAUGHT! Suyash breaks this marathon partnership. Wrong'un, around middle and off, gets big on the batter. Gill swings hard to go big on the leg side but gets hit high on his bat. Ends up finding Devdutt Padikkal at the long on fence. Devdutt makes no mistake and pouches this with ease.

12.3: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, Wrong'un around off, Sai Sudharsan cuts this to sweeper cover for a single. 

A painful blow for Suyash Sharma on his left hand. He is wincing in pain, and the physio is out to have a look. Rajat Patidar is also getting some attention on the sidelines, having his hand taped. Sharma is ready to resume, and Patidar is also back.

12.2: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, DROPPED! Harsh to say that, but this is how it is. Googly, around off, Sai hits this straight back to the bowler around his waist. Suyash gets both hands together around his waist, but gets hit straight on his left hand's index finger. The ball rolls behind the bowler, but Suyash looks in some serious pain.

12.1: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! 5th biggie of this innings for Sai. Wrong'un read well by Sai as the southpaw prods onto the front foot and lofts this inside out over wide long off for a six.

Tidy stuff from Salam. First over since the 7th over that went without a boundary. Suyash Sharma has been brought back. The leggie went for 10 runs in his first over.

11.6: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Slower one, full and wide of off, Sai Sudharsan cuts this to deep point for another single. 

11.5: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, Excellent bowling by Rasikh Salam as he bowls a yorker on off, Gill drives this down to long on and rotates the strike. 

11.4: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Another low full-toss wide of off, Sai Sudharsan drives this down the ground to long off for one.

11.3: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Low full-toss, around off, Sudharsan pats this towards the strong arm of Rajat Patidar at extra cover. Gill wants a quick single, but Sai sends him back.

11.2: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, Slower one, back of a length, around off, Shubman Gill pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a run. 

11.1: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Full and wide of off, Sai Sudharsan presses onto the front foot and drives this well to the right of Rajat Patidar at extra cover. Rajat puts in a dive, gets some hand to it and keeps it down to one. 

Time for pace as Rasikh Salam (2-0-23-0) returns to the attack. A change of gloves for the GT skipper, while Sai Sudharsan takes a moment to rehydrate.

10.6: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, A tad slower, on the pads, Sai Kishore milks this to deep mid-wicket for a single to close the over. 12 runs off the over.

10.5: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Pushed through on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan gently tucks this through mid-wicket and collects a brace. 

10.4: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, wide of off, Shubman Gill cuts this square on off and takes a single with Tim David cutting it off.

10.3: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Darted on middle and off, Sai Sudharsan works this through mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

10.2: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Length dragged back a bit by Krunal, on middle and off, Shubman Gill hits this through mid on for a single. 

10.1: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, SIX! Gill joins the party as well. Krunal bowls one full and on middle and leg, Shubman Gill collapses his back knee and slogs this out of the park towards the deep square leg region for a biggie. 

9.6: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Fired down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan goes down on a knee and sweeps this intentionally wide to the right of short fine leg for a boundary. Sai races to 78 with GT well positioned at 104 for no loss.

9.5: Suyash Sharma to Shubman Gill, Fuller on middle and off, Shubman Gill gets right on top of the bounce and tucks this down to long on for a single. 100 comes up for GT in the 10th over.

9.4: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, Wrong'un around off, Sai presses in front and punches this through the covers region for one. 

9.3: Suyash Sharma to Shubman Gill, Leggie, around off, Gill rocks back and punches this down the ground to long on for a single. 

9.3: Suyash Sharma to Shubman Gill, WIDE! Full and wide down the leg, Gill looks for the sweep but misses and the umpire calls it a wide.

9.2: Suyash Sharma to Sai Sudharsan, Tossed up, on the pads, Sai Sudharsan flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a run. 

9.1: Suyash Sharma to Shubman Gill, Fuller around off, Shubman Gill punches this to deep cover for a single. 

8.6: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Sai looks in the mood as he dispatches the last ball of this Krunal over for a biggie as well. Fuller, on off, Sai Sudharsan collapses his back knee, and slog sweeps this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massively hit six. Sudharsan brings up 2,000 IPL runs. According to Deep Dasgupta, Sai becomes the fastest batter (in terms of innings) to reach this landmark, getting there in 47 innings. Chris Gayle held the record previously, who took 48 innings to reach the landmark.

8.5: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Quicker one, fired across the batter, Sai Sudharsan slashes hard at it and looks for a square cut but misses out.

8.4: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Floated around off, Shubman Gill works this through mid-wicket and rotates the strike. 

8.3: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Fired into the batter, on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

8.2: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Sai was up for the bumper by Krunal and cuts this away for a biggie. Krunal bowls from around the stumps to Sai and darts in a bumper, on off. Sai stays deep inside his crease and cuts this over and to the right of Romario Shepherd at the third man region for a biggie. 

8.2: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, WIDE! Tossed up, wide down the leg side, Sai leaves it. Wided.

8.1: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Quicker one, into the batter, Shubman Gill flicks this towards cow corner and takes a single. The initial call was of two by Gill, but the fielder was quickly onto the ball, and the batters settled for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK! It has been a picture-perfect start for GT. Both Gill And Sai have batted extremely well and have raced to 78 for no loss after 8 overs. The best part about this batting show from Sai and Gill has been their risk-free strokeplay that has kept the scorecard ticking without handing any clear chance to the opponents. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be hoping to break this partnership as soon as they can, or else they will be in for a big score. 

7.6: Romario Shepherd to Shubman Gill, 17 runs from the over! Good length, on off, Shubman Gill punches it to deep cover for a single.

7.5: Romario Shepherd to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Trademark shot from Shubman Gill! Hard length, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill rocks back and plays his trademark short-arm jab through mid-wicket for a boundary. 

7.4: Romario Shepherd to Sai Sudharsan, Nice and full, outside off, Sai Sudharsan eases it to short third for a single.

7.3: Romario Shepherd to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! A touch of class! Romario Shepherd bowls a fuller one, outside off, Sai Sudharsan leans on and cracks a drive through covers for a boundary.

7.2: Romario Shepherd to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! FIFTY up for Sai Sudharsan! He looked a bit tentative early on, but got a few boundaries away and has looked good since. Hard length, outside off, Sai Sudharsan moves to his left and scoops it magnificently over fine leg for a biggie.

7.1: Romario Shepherd to Shubman Gill, Romario Shepherd starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, outside off, Shubman Gill guides it to point for a single.

Romario Shepherd has been called into the attack now by Rajat Patidar. 

6.6: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Brilliant over from Krunal Pandya. Just 4 runs off the over. Flatter and outside off, Sai Sudharsan swings hard but misses.

6.5: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Tidy over so far from Krunal Pandya. Quicker, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.

6.4: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Slows it up, on off, Shubman Gill pushes it to the fielder at extra cover.

6.3: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, There comes the bouncer. Krunal Pandya bangs it short, on middle, Sai Sudharsan pulls it awkwardly towards mid-wicket for one again.

6.2: Krunal Pandya to Shubman Gill, Darts this one on leg, Shubman Gill tucks it to mid-wicket for one more.

6.1: Krunal Pandya to Sai Sudharsan, Krunal Pandya starts with a shorter one, on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan tugs it to mid-wicket for a single.

End of the Powerplay! It has been a good start by GT with an unbeaten 57-run opening stand in the first 6 overs. GT will be hoping that the openers continue this superb start, whereas RCB will be hoping to make inroads. Krunal Pandya has been called into the attack. 

5.6: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Tight single! Salam takes pace off, full and across off. Sai drops it with soft hands in front of backward point and hurries to the other end. Devdutt Padikkal swoops in, picks the ball up and has a shy at the batting end but misses. It would have been interesting had the throw hit.

5.5: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! More runs for GT! The openers are off to a flier. Hard length, outside off, Sai Sudharsan stays in his crease and steers it magnificently through backward point for a boundary.

5.4: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, Slower one, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill looks to drive it but miscues it to the mid-wicket fielder.

5.3: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Straight down the ground for a boundary! Rasikh Salam slows it up, on off, Shubman Gill moves forward and flat bats it over mid on for a boundary.

5.2: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, Hard length, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill stays back and looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs and lands safely at deep mid-wicket. They collect two runs.

5.1: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, Good length, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill makes room and pushes it to point.

Gill has played just 3 deliveries out of 4 overs but he wouldn't mind it as Sai Sudharsan has been playing well on the other end. 

4.6: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! He is enjoying his batting here! Slightly shorter again, outside off, Sai Sudharsan makes room and slashes it through backward point for a brilliant boundary.

4.5: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Slightly shorter, on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan hangs back and works it to the mid-wicket fielder.

4.4: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! All the way! That's a magnificent shot. Hazlewood continues bowling on a back of a length, outside off, Sai Sudharsan rides the bounce and hammers it over deep point for a biggie.

4.3: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Back of a length again, outside off, Sai Sudharsan looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back to the bowler. Dot again.

4.2: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Play and a miss! Drags his length back, outside off, Sai Sudharsan swings hard but misses.

4.1: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Just past the keeper! Good length, outside off, Sai Sudharsan moves to his left and tries to scoop it, but doesn't connect well. The ball goes past the right of the diving keeper and races away to the fence at fine leg.

Will it be a third for Bhuvneshwar Kumar or a change of ends for Josh Hazlewood? It is indeed a change of ends for Josh Hazlewood. 

3.6: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Across off, on a length. Sudharsan pushes away from his body. It goes off the outer half but through the vacant point region. Tim David mops it up in the deep. Single taken. Rasikh concedes 11 runs from his first over.

3.5: Rasikh Salam to Shubman Gill, On off, on a good length, Gill runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

3.4: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Short and wide again, Sai slaps it hard but picks out Tim David at deep backward point this time. Just a single.

3.3: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR MORE! Hit hard and wide enough! Salam errs in both line and length, short and wide, there to be put away. Sudharsan needs no second invitation as he gets his hands through the ball and thrashes it through point. Tim David sprints to his left and dives but to no avail.

3.2: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Good adjustment by Sai to put it away. A little too short, outside off. The ball does not rise as much as Sudharsan expected it to. He adjusts well and drags the pull between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary.

3.1: Rasikh Salam to Sai Sudharsan, Rasikh begins with a full ball, angling across the left-hander. Sai Sudharsan leans into the shot and knocks it to mid off.

2.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, On off and middle, continues to be on a back of a length, Sudharsan wrists it through square leg and keeps the strike with a single.

2.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, This stands up a bit on the batter, over the off stump, Sai looks to play it on the rise but checks his shot as the ball kicks up. He taps it back to Bhuvi.

2.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Gets it through! Not a lot wrong with the ball, on a back of a length, just outside off. Sudharsan picks the length quickly and rides the bounce to punch it all along the ground through covers for four more.

2.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Keeps it nice and tight, on middle, on a short of a length. This is turned away to mid-wicket.

2.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, On a short of a length, on middle. Sai nudges it to mid-wicket.

2.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Nicely done! No visible movement on this ball, fractionally on a back of a length, leaving the left-hander. Sai Sudharsan waits on the back foot and opens the bat face at the last moment to glide it behind the stumps off the side. Threads the gap between the man at a wide slip and a fine short third for a four.

A couple of overs are done and the Gujarat Titans have scored just 11 off the first 2 overs. A watchful start by Sai Kishore and Shubman Gill. 

1.6: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, A bit too straight by Hazlewood but he gets away with it. On the shorter side, Sudharsan fails to lay any bat on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball drops off the thigh pad in front of square leg.

1.5: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Slightly fuller, across off, Sudharsan extends his hands to drive it on the up but the ball is too close to his body and ends up bunting it down the strip as the bat turns in his hands.

1.4: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Beaten! This is pushed across the left-hander, a bit more effort behind this ball. On a short of a good length. A loose waft by Sai away from the body and the ball goes over the horizontal bat.

1.4: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Wide! Pitched up but down leg, Sai misses out on the tickle.

1.3: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Josh hits the deck hard, over middle. Sai gets on his toes and swivels for the pull. The ball gets big on him and he mistimes it behind square leg for a couple of runs.

1.2: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, A flash and a miss! Angling away, on a short of a length at 127.7 kph. Sai throws his hands at the ball and fails to connect.

1.1: Josh Hazlewood to Sai Sudharsan, Rapped on the pads! That looked high and RCB do not go for the review. Seemed to have pitched outside the line, too from over the wicket angle. This is on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Sai is beaten on the flick and wears it high on the front pad.

A tidy start by Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he gives away just 7 runs off the first over. Josh Hazlewood will be bowling from the other end. 

0.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, In and around the off stump, on a nagging length. Sai drops it with soft hands beside the strip on the off side and takes a quick single.

0.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Drags the length back and this is on middle and leg. Sai stabs it down on the leg side.

0.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Edged away! Kumar pitches it up, around off. Sai Sudharsan pushes out in front of his body with hard hands, looking to force the drive down the ground. Gets an outside edge that beats the dive of Josh Hazlewood at short third to his left. It skips across the practice pitches and the deep backward point fielder stands no chance.

0.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, Fuller in length at 133.6 kph, on off. Shubman presses on the front foot and eases the drive to the left of mid on. Gets off the mark with a single. 

0.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, A tighter line for the right-hander, just outside the off stump. Gill punches this good-length delivery on the up to cover.

0.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, A bit of shape up front for Bhuvi. Moving away in the air, on a good length. Sudharsan waits on the back foot and taps the ball on its head, guiding it to deep backward point. Sai and GT are underway with a single.

We are all set for the start of this intriguing contest. The opening pair for the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, have walked out in the middle and are ready to face Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who'll be bowling the first over of this contest. The two fielders allowed outside the circle are placed at deep backward point and deep square leg. Sai to face the first ball. Here we go!

Important to assess the conditions early - The skipper of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill says it doesn't matter much that you bat first or bowl. Gill adds that they will be looking to assess the conditions and then set a target accordingly, but keeping wickets in hand would be crucial. Shubman also mentions that one needs to consider that this is a long tournament, and whichever team stays in a good state of mind for a longer period would get a result in their favour. Gill informs that they have a couple of changes with Jason Holder making his debut for GT and Manav Suthar also coming in.

The wicket might be a little tacky - The captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says that they will bowl first. Informs that Bethell comes in place of Salt, as he is injured. Reckons that they have assessed the conditions pretty well this season, and it is going well so far. He says that the wicket is good to bat on and there is no grass, so it might be a bit tacky in the first innings.

Impact sub options for GT - Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Nishant Sindhu and Arshad Khan.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder (On GT debut) (In for Glenn Phillips), Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar (In for Ashok Sharma), Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.

Impact sub options for RCB - Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam.