GT vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Gujarat beat Bengaluru by 4 wickets in Ahmedabad

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 is one of those matches where everything clicks.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, he replies 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.

15.5: Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, FOUR! Rashid Khan hits the winning runs. Gujarat Titans come up trumps against the defending champions. They win by 4 wickets with 25 balls to spare. Suyash Sharma gives the ball a bit of air, on a nagging and outside off. Rashid backs away and shimmies down the track as well. He reaches out and thumps it over cover for a boundary to seal the win.

15.4: Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, Flighted delivery, full and around the off stump. Rashid Khan sinks to a knee and reaches out in front. He rolls his wrists over the ball to control the sweep. Plays it all along the ground through square leg. Tim David tidies up in the deep by moving to his right. A couple of more runs.

15.3: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Short and sliding in at the hips. Tewatia pivots on the back foot and pulls it through backward square leg for a single.

15.2: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Shorter and flatter, outside off. Tewatia cuts it hard and through the vacant backward point region. It is cut off by the deep fielder by getting around to his right. Two runs taken.

15.1: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up by Suyash, it is the googly, a bit too full, outside off. Tewatia picks the wrong'un and goes with the turn. He stays leg side of the ball and lofts it inside out over cover. There is no protection in the deep and the ball reaches the fence. 7 more needed for GT.

14.6: Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, A bouncer to end the over, on middle. Rashid Khan ducks underneath the delivery and lets it travel to the keeper.

14.5: Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, Good-length delivery, on middle, Rashid Khan bunts it back to Shepherd. 

14.4: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Romario Shepherd switches to around the wicket and delivers on a length, angling in, on middle. Rahul Tewatia tucks it to square leg for a single.

14.3: Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, Much fuller, around the off pole with pace. Rashid Khan lunges and drives it to mid off for a quick single.

14.2: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Back of a length, just outside off. Rahul Tewatia opens the face of the bat and steers it to deep third for a comfortable single.

14.1: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, On a hard length, just outside off, Rahul Tewatia dabs it to cover. 

14.1: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Wide given for height. RCB are a bit bemused by that call. Rajat Patidar has taken the review. Dug in short by Romario Shepherd, over off, Rahul Tewatia lets it through to the keeper. The Ball Tracking confirms that the ball went past Tewatia at 1.79 metres, with his head measured at 1.75 metres. So, the wide call stands.

13.6: Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, Half a shout for LBW! Suyash sticks to the wrong'un and drags the length back a bit, on middle. Rashid Khan leans forward to defend and just about squeezes an inside edge onto the front pad.

Wow, GT lose another wicket and they still need 15 more to win. Rashid Khan walks out to bat at number 8.

13.5: Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, OUT! CAUGHT! Jason Holder holes out. Suyash serves the googly, on a length, on middle. Holder gets on the front foot and uses his long reach to play the slog sweep. The ball spins back in to catch the inner half of the bat. Jason fails to get the distance on the shot and picks out the deep mid-wicket fielder. Devdutt Padikkal takes a safe catch close to his chest, a couple of metres away from the boundary cushions. GT are 6 down now for 141, still needing 15 more runs.

13.4: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Around off, full in length. Rahul drops it beside the strip on the off side and gets to the other end.

13.4: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, Wide! Sprayed well down leg, Tewatia walks inside the line to shovel it past short fine leg but misses. Jitesh Sharma moves to his right and gets a hand on it. He seems to have hurt his fingers in the process but shakes off the pain.

13.3: Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, Quicker through the air, full and in line with the off stump. Jason looks to cover the line with a straight bat. It goes off the outside edge to short third and the batters take a quick single.

13.2: Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, Out comes the wrong'un, full and on middle. Holder picks it from the hand and lunges for the block.

13.1: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, From around the wicket, short and flat, on middle. Tewatia watchfully tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The Titans are just 19 away from the win now and it looks like they are going to cross the finish line with plenty of overs to spare. The chase has been exhilarating because either there's been boundaries flowing or wickets tumbling. GT seem to have taken a calculated risk and at the expense of a few wickets more, they are all but certain to give their net run rate a real boost. RCB still need to believe and if they get a couple of quick wickets after the break, things can get pretty close. Still, not a single over from Krunal Pandya as Suyash Sharma continues.

12.6: Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Back of a length, on middle, Jason Holder pulls it down toward the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. The fielder dives and attempts to stop the ball, but fails to make a clean stop. The deep square leg fielder runs to his left, and by that time the batters come back for the second.

12.5: Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Swing and a miss! Short of a length, on the fifth stump. Holder covers the stumps and attempts to pull it across, but the ball gets some extra bounce off the track and beats the upper edge.

12.4: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Just outside off, back of a length. Rahul Tewatia hangs back and pats it to deep cover for a single.

12.3: Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Fullish, on the stumps, Jason Holder eases it to long on for a single.

12.2: Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, Right into the blockhole, on middle, Jason Holder does well to jam it back to the bowler.

12.1: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, Oh, any other day that would have crashed back into the stumps. Across off, on a good length, Rahul Tewatia leaves nothing in the tank and swings for the hills. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and goes down to deep fine leg. They cross.

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

11.5: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, 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.

11.4: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, 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.

11.3: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, 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.

11.2: Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, 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.

11.1: Suyash Sharma to Jason Holder, 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.

10.6: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, 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.

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

10.4: Romario Shepherd to Jason Holder, 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.

10.3: Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, 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...

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

10.2: Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, 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 Tewatia

10.1: Romario Shepherd to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

9.6: Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

9.5: Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

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

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

9.2: Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, Back of a length, over the off stump, Khan stays back and plays it late, dabbing it down to backward point.

9.1: Josh Hazlewood to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

8.6: Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, 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.

8.5: Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, Fuller, around off, Washington Sundar dabs it to mid-wicket. 

8.4: Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, Good-length delivery, around off, Washington Sundar knocks it to mid off.

8.3: Romario Shepherd to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

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

8.1: Romario Shepherd to Washington Sundar, 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.

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

7.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Washington Sundar, Hard length again, on middle and off, Washington Sundar prods halfway and pushes it down to mid off.

7.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shahrukh Khan, 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.

7.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 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.

7.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 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.

7.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 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.

6.6: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 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!

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

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

6.3: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 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.

6.2: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 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.

6.2: Suyash Sharma to Jos Buttler, 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.

6.1: Suyash Sharma to Washington Sundar, 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.

5.6: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

5.5: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

5.4: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Similar length, straighter this time, Jos dabs it into the leg side.

5.3: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

5.2: Josh Hazlewood to Washington Sundar, 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.

5.1: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

4.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, 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.

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

4.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, 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.

4.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, Fuller this time, angled back in from outside off at 135.8 kph. Buttler leans ahead and defends it back to the bowler.

4.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jos Buttler, Good length, in the channel, Buttler gets across to the off side and defends it down to backward point.

4.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, 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.

3.6: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

3.5: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, 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.

3.4: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, Hurls it on a good length, in the channel. Gill presses half-forward and steers it behind point with an open bat face. He calls for two, but Tim David is quick in the deep and keeps the batters down to a single.

3.3: Josh Hazlewood to Jos Buttler, Hits the back of a length, over off. Buttler dabs it to the left of backward point and gets off the mark with a single.

3.2: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, FIVE RUNS! Bonus runs for the Titans here, and Virat Kohli is the culprit for RCB. Back of a length, around off, dabbed away to the left of cover for a quick run. Kohli picks up the ball and has a shy at the non-striker's end but the ball gets stuck in his hand and he ends up snatching at the throw, firing it wide and all the way into the mid on fence.

3.1: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, That's well bowled. Gill is early to back away again and Josh Hazlewood outsmarts him with the wide yorker. Gill is unable to reach it and just lets it pass.

Out goes Sai Sudharsan and in walks Jos Buttler. Round 2 of Josh Hazlewood versus Shubman Gill coming up...

2.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bhuvneshwar Kumar keeps making the ball talk and does get the first breakthrough for his side as well. Bhuvi lands this one a touch fuller on middle and the ball nips away off the deck. Sai Sudharsan gets bamboozled a bit as he jars at it and gets the outside edge. Jitesh Sharma dives to his left and takes a fine catch. 114 needed now off 102 balls.

2.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, Back of a length and around off, eased off the back foot towards point for a run.

2.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, Bhuvi hits the deck and pushes the ball into the batter. Gill tries to pull it away but gets an inside edge onto the body.

2.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, Half an appeal for a caught behind, turned down. However, the appeal starts to get a bit more serious now and the bowler feels there is a nick on it. The keeper comes in to have a word as well and Rajat Patidar does take the review. Hard length, angling in over the stumps. Gill backs away to go over the off side but misses and gets beaten on the outside edge. The third umpire checks UltraEdge and finds that there's no bat involved. NOT OUT. RCB lose a review as well.

2.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Fuller than a good length, on middle and off, Sudharsan gets it off the inner half of the blade towards mid-wicket for a single.

2.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Uppish but in the gap as well. The in-between length, a bit too wide outside off. Sudharsan looks to cut but slices it away wide to the left of deep third for a boundary.

Wow! Shubman Gill has imposed himself on Josh Hazlewood, and how. He has taken down one of RCB's biggest weapons with the ball. GT need 120 runs from 108 balls.

1.6: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, SIX! That's probably the one true bad ball Hazlewood has bowled this over, and Shubman Gill dispatches it with ease. Full and angling down leg, Gill picks it off the legs and whips it over deep backward square leg for a biggie. 24 off the over. 100th six in GT colours for Shubman.

1.5: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Wow, Shubman Gill can do no wrong at the moment. Gill backs away early and the bowler tries to follow him, but Gill manages to force the punch through covers, and the ball goes into the fence.

1.4: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, SIX! That's a majestic hit. Good length, at the stumps, extracts a bit more bounce as well, does Hazlewood. Gill nonchalantly just gets under it and lifts it high over wide long on for a biggie.

1.3: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, Hazlewood jams in a yorker now, on off, Gill tries to step out but can only manage to dig it out back to the bowler.

1.2: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Another one. A bit fuller, Josh looks to spear it into the batter. However, Gill shimmies down the pitch and lofts it back over the bowler's head for another fine boundary.

1.1: Josh Hazlewood to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Aggressive intent from Gill. Josh Hazlewood hits that in-between length and bowls it outside off. Gill skips down the pitch, backs away and scythes it square through point for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to operate from the other end.

0.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, Hard length, just outside off and angling away, Sudharsan has a poke at it but misses. 12 off the first over of the chase.

0.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, Jumps off a good length again, Gill looks to turn it leg side but gets a leading edge through the vacant cover-point region for a single.

0.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, A top comeback delivery from Bhuvi. Scrambled-seam delivery, jumps off a good length and moves away from off and middle as well. Gill does well not to edge it behind.

0.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, SIX! One of the most elegant sixes you will ever see. Slightly fuller, in the channel outside off. Shubman Gill gets onto the front foot and drives it over wide mid off, all the way for a six.

0.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Oh, that's so unlucky for the bowler. Good length again, snakes back in from outside off. Shubman Gill gets nearly cut in half as the ball takes the inside edge and even though Jitesh Sharma puts in a dive to his left, the ball goes past him, into the fine leg fence.

0.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Sai Sudharsan, GT's chase is underway with a quick single. Just short of a good length, shaping back into the left-hander from around off. Sai Sudharsan presses back and plays it down with soft hands towards point and pinches a run.

The chase is about to get underway. Rajat Patidar and his men disperse from the huddle and take their places on the field. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill will open the innings for the home side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will start the attack for RCB. Sai to face the first ball. A slip in place. Here we go!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Can RCB make a match out of this? A lot will rely on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, especially given that with the inclusion of Venkatesh Iyer as the Impact Sub, they no longer have the option of turning to Rasikh Salam. From Gujarat’s perspective, much will depend on their top three, who excel while chasing such middling totals. The pace and bounce troubled the RCB batters, and GT will look to negate those factors early and settle into their chase. Stick around for the second essay.

A quick word - GT's Jason Holder is up for a chat. When asked if he had been carrying a magnet with him, given that the ball seemed to follow him wherever he was positioned in the field. Holder replies that he always tries to do his job. On his bowling, he says that he focused on hitting the perfect length, and that was the key reason behind his wicket-taking success. About his first catch, where he was going to collide with Kagiso, he says that he just kept his eyes on the ball and picked up the catch. On the bowling unit's overall performance, he replies that they gave their 100 per cent on the field, and the energy was outstanding.

Titans trigger the slide - From 79/2, it quickly turned into a procession, as RCB slipped to 96/6 in no time, with Rashid Khan and Jason Holder striking in tandem. With wickets falling at the other end, Padikkal struggled to maintain momentum as Gujarat kept chipping away at the wickets. Even Venkatesh Iyer, brought on as the Impact Sub, could not have the desired impact Bengaluru hoped for, but his 29-run stand with Bhuvneshwar Kumar took RCB past 150.

A lively start up top - After being asked to bat first, Virat Kohli landed a few punches early on, but Kagiso Rabada delivered the final blow in that engaging battle. RCB finished the Powerplay at 59 for the loss of both openers. Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar then stitched together a brief partnership before the latter fell to a catch, where the decision could have gone either way, but went in favour of the home side.

A job well done by the Gujarat Titans - Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been bundled for 155, the first time they have been bowled out this season. Shubman Gill and his men walk off as a happy bunch, and not just with the ball did they put on an impressive display, but after some sloppy fielding performances lately, they really upped their game against the defending champions.

19.2: Arshad Khan to Josh Hazlewood, OUT! JOSH HAZLEWOOD IS RUN OUT! A wild, wild ending to the first innings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been bowled out for 155 with 4 balls to spare. Arshad Khan bowls it on a good length, on off and middle and the ball cuts back in. Josh Hazlewood backs away and has a push at it but the ball zips past the outside edge. There is half an appeal for caught behind, which is turned down and Josh wanders out of his crease as well. Jos Buttler cleverly underarms the throw onto the stumps as Josh turns back to make his ground. However, the ball deflects away and Hazlewood wants a second bite at the run and even though Bhuvneshwar Kumar tries to send him back, he continues on his merry way. Shubman Gill at short cover picks up the ball and underarms another direct hit at the non-striker's end. The third umpire has a look and Josh is just safe in terms of the first direct hit, but he's well short on the second one.

What has happened here? An appeal for a caught behind, but it is turned down. Jos Buttler scores a direct hit at the batting end, but the batter is safe at that end. There is a direct hit at the bowling end as well, where Josh Hazlewood seems to be short of his ground. Hazlewood has already started walking off, not even waiting for the replay. And now we know why, Josh is well short, confirmed by the check by the third umpire.

Josh Hazlewood is the last man in.

19.1: Arshad Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, OUT! CAUGHT! That's well held onto by Sai Sudharsan. Arshad Khan pitches the ball a bit fuller and on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer stays back and heaves it across the line. Iyer ends up not quite timing it and drags it flat towards deep mid-wicket. Sai comes charging in and dives forward to snaffle it with both hands. He does well to hold onto the ball even as his elbows thud into the turf on the landing. RCB are now 155/9.

Arshad Khan (3-0-22-2) to close out the innings. Can RCB get to 170? That would be a massive boost heading into the break.

18.6: Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Short-pitched delivery on off and middle, Iyer leans back and awkwardly angles it away past short third for a single.

18.5: Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Shot! Too full and on off, not quite yorker length. Venkatesh Iyer goes deep in the crease, stays still and drills it back past the bowler into the long off fence for another boundary.

18.4: Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Banged in well short and wide outside off, Venkatesh Iyer reaches up for it and hits it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs. That also brings up the 150 for RCB.

18.3: Mohammed Siraj to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hard length, on a tighter line around off. Kumar nudges it down towards cover-point and pinches a run.

18.2: Mohammed Siraj to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, FOUR! Smacked away. Short of a length, wider outside the off stump. Bhuvneshwar Kumar backs away a bit as well and swats it up and over the cover region for a boundary.

18.1: Mohammed Siraj to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Good-length delivery, slanting back into the right-hander at nearly 140 clicks. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hangs back and solidly defends it off.

Time for the 19th over. Mohammed Siraj to bowl. 3-0-26-1 so far for Siraj.

17.6: Arshad Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, The in-between length now, Arshad keeps the line around off. Bhuvi presses back and pushes it into the off side for a single. 160 on the cards for RCB?

17.5: Arshad Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fuller in length, straighter too, eased away towards short extra cover.

17.4: Arshad Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, FOUR! That's a good-looking stroke, and RCB get a boundary after almost 4 overs. Back of a length, wide outside off, Kumar goes deep in the crease and latches onto the width, slapping it down through the gap at covers for a boundary.

17.3: Arshad Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, BEATEN! Pitched up on a fuller length, at 144.6, and angled just across off. Bhuvneshwar Kumar looks to hit on the up but gets beaten past the outside edge.

17.2: Arshad Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Good length, angled into the pads, tucked down behind square leg for a single by Iyer.

Halt! Venkatesh Iyer has copped a stinging blow on his left elbow. The physio rushes out to have a look. A check is underway to rule out any fracture. Iyer has put the gloves back on, and he is ready to resume. It remains to be seen how comfortable he feels while playing his shots.

17.1: Arshad Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Ouch! That's gone straight into the left elbow of Venkatesh Iyer and he seems to be really stung here. Back of a length, hammered into the pitch around off. The ball jags back in with some extra bounce. Iyer tries to swing it off the front foot but misses and cops a blow on the left elbow.

17.1: Arshad Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, WIDE! Too high. Banged in halfway down the pitch, angled in over middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer simply ducks under it.

Arshad Khan (2-0-15-2) has been brought back into the attack.

16.6: Jason Holder to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Just back of a length, at 129.6 kph and outside off, Kumar gets a stride across to the off side and strokes it to point.

16.5: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Banged in short over middle, Venkatesh Iyer comes down the pitch and forces the flat-batted shot down to long on for just a single.

16.4: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Dug in a bit more short now, awkward height to get it away. Iyer tries to pull but hits it straight to short fine leg.

16.3: Jason Holder to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Back of a length, outside off, Kumar presses up on his toes and taps it down to covers for a single.

16.2: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Iyer persists with the cheeky attempt and fails to get it away yet again. Good length, just angling across off. Venky tries to get inside the line and lap it but the ball hits the pads and rolls into the leg side for a leg bye.

16.1: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Bowled back of a length and over leg stump, Iyer shuffles across to lap it away but is well beaten.

15.6: Rashid Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dragged length outside off, punched away to extra cover. Just a single off the over.

15.5: Rashid Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Slightly flighted on off, it is the googly. Bhuvneshwar Kumar lunges to defend.

15.4: Rashid Khan to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nagging length, on middle, Kumar watchfully defends it back to the bowler.

15.3: Rashid Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, A touch fuller, on middle, played off the back foot by Iyer and shovelled away behind square leg for a run.

15.2: Rashid Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Turning down leg! Another flatter leg break, lands it on a good length on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer rocks back to flick but misses and gets struck on the pads again.

15.1: Rashid Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Tossed up, full and just outside leg. Iyer leans ahead to flick but gets it off the pads.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Plenty for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to think about during this break. They found themselves in a similar situation earlier this season against RR in Guwahati, where Venkatesh Iyer came in as the Impact Sub and played a handy cameo. They will be hoping for a repeat tonight. So far, so good for the Gujarat Titans, with an impressive showing so far with the ball and a noticeable improvement in the field. The job is not done yet, though, and they will want to close this out strongly. Rashid Khan will bowl out now. 3-0-18-2 so far for the spin wizard.

14.6: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Back of a length again, going across off, Venkatesh Iyer tries to guide it away but gets an extra bounce. The ball goes off the gloves and down to deep third for another single.

14.5: Jason Holder to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Slower one, back of a length and around off. Kumar hops up and nudges it down in front of point for a run. Good running.

14.4: Jason Holder to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Good length, attacking the stumps, tucked away to mid on.

14.3: Jason Holder to Venkatesh Iyer, Pitched fuller on off and middle, driven to the left of mid off for a quick single.

14.2: Jason Holder to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, A bit untidy from Mohammed Siraj to begin with but the boundary is stopped. Full ball, angled in towards middle. Bhuvneshwar Kumar clips it past mid on and Siraj chases after it. He opts not to put in the dive but the ball races away from him. Siraj eventually puts in the dive and manages to stop the boundary, and Manav Suthar is the one who gives good back-up, saving a run for his side.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in next.

14.1: Jason Holder to Romario Shepherd, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and RCB are going down in a hurry now. Jason Holder bowls it just back of a length and on off. The seam of the ball hits the deck such that it angles in with some extra bounce. Romario Shepherd leans back to pull but ends up snatching at it. The ball is swung down to deep mid-wicket, where Sai Sudharsan pouches a simple catch and Holder has his second wicket, to go along with his three catches as well.

With 7 wickets down and still 6 overs left, RCB's hand has been forced. Venkatesh Iyer has been introduced as the Impact Sub. Jacob Bethell has been subbed out. Iyer's bat does not pass through the gauge and he has asked for a replacement. The new bat passes the check, and we are all good to go. If it had all gone well with the bat, RCB were likely to bring in Rasikh Salam as the Impact Sub, but they can no longer do so.

Jacob Bethell is substituted by Venkatesh Iyer

13.6: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan does get the job done and gets a big wicket here for GT. Rashid bowls it a tad shorter on middle and bowls it flatter as well. It is the leg break that turns back. Devdutt Padikkal rocks back and tries to whip it leg side but gets cramped for room. The ball takes the inside edge, then goes onto the pads and then eventually, goes on to hit the stumps. A bit unlucky for the batter but Padikkal has to walk back and RCB are 126/7.

13.5: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Tossed up, on off, Romario winds up to go big but loses his shape and ends up hacking it towards long on. They cross.

13.4: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, SIX! Romario Shepherd is just starting with his fireworks! A touch shorter this time, with a googly, on middle. Romario Shepherd picks up the wroung'un and dispatches it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a massive six.

13.3: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Shorter and it is the googly, punched back to the bowler.

13.2: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, SIX! This is out of the park! Tossed up, fuller, on off and middle. Romario Shepherd plants his front foot away from the delivery and launches it downtown for six runs.

13.1: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Beaten! Fuller and pitching it just outside off. Romario Shepherd lunges and looks to defend, but is beaten on the outside edge due to the away turn.

12.6: Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd, KG bashes the hard length and bowls it on off, Romario hangs back and angles the bat to push the ball down towards point for a single.

12.5: Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd, Back of a length and outside off, Romario Shepherd stays back and has a half push at it, dabbing the ball down to backward point.

12.4: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, Tap and run. Back of a length, outside off, Padikkal gets on his toes, nudges it well behind point and picks up a quick single.

12.3: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Well, maybe a moral victory for the bowler. A well-directed bumper, right at Padikkal, around helmet height as well. Devdutt Padikkal tries to pull but the ball gets big on him and he tries to pull out of the shot but it's too late. The ball flies over fine leg for a six.

12.2: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! A valiant effort from Shubman Gill, but it goes in vain. Good length, around off, Padikkal backs away nice and early, swatting it between mid off and extra cover. Gill gives it a good chase and puts in a dive, but ends up making contact with the ropes when he tries to flick the ball away for a second time.

12.1: Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd, Half an appeal for LBW, but that's sliding well down leg. Hard length on middle and leg, darts back in. Romario Shepherd fails to get it away and the ball goes into the leg side off the thigh pad. The batters pick up a leg bye.

11.6: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Much fuller again, not a lot of flight. Devdutt Padikkal goes deep into the crease and dabs it to cover. Another tidy over from Rashid Khan.

11.5: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Full and on middle, Romario Shepherd hits it down to long on for a single.

11.4: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Beaten! Short and just outside off. Romario Shepherd rocks back and looks to punch it through cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

11.3: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Fuller, on middle, Devdutt Padikkal works it to long on for a single.

11.2: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Full and slanting it down the leg side. Devdutt Padikkal looks to clip it but misses and wears on the thigh pad. 

11.1: Rashid Khan to Romario Shepherd, Flat and fuller from Rashid, on off. Romario Shepherd flicks it to long on and gets a single.

10.6: Arshad Khan to Romario Shepherd, Dug in shorter around leg, Shepherd swivels back and pulls it down to deep backward square leg for a single to get off the mark.

10.5: Arshad Khan to Romario Shepherd, Full again, attacking the toes this time, Shepherd clips it across to mid-wicket.

10.4: Arshad Khan to Romario Shepherd, Pitched fuller and on off, Romario Shepherd watchfully pushes it out into the off side.

RCB slide into further trouble. Romario Shepherd makes his way out to the middle.

10.3: Arshad Khan to Krunal Pandya, OUT! CAUGHT! Would you believe it? The ball's gone straight to Jason Holder yet again. Arshad Khan goes back to attacking the stumps and slants the ball in towards middle and leg. Krunal Pandya hops across to the off side, just a touch and clips it away. He does so uppishly and straight to short mid-wicket, where Holder takes another sharp catch. RCB are haemorrhaging wickets at the moment.

10.2: Arshad Khan to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Nicely done. Back of a length, a tad too wide outside off. Krunal Pandya hangs back and waits for it before cutting it through the gully region for a boundary.

10.1: Arshad Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, On a good length, honing in on middle, Devdutt Padikkal stays put and punches it with a straight bat down to long on for one.

9.6: Rashid Khan to Krunal Pandya, Full and in line with the leg stump. Pandya watchfully clips it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

9.5: Rashid Khan to Krunal Pandya, Turning into the pads, full in length, Pandya lunges but is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad outside the line of the leg pole.

Jason Holder seems to be making this 'coliseum of cricket' his own right now. Krunal Pandya is the new batter in for RCB.

9.4: Rashid Khan to Tim David, OUT! CAUGHT! A sharp grab. The towering figure of Jason Holder is at it again. Floated up by Rashid, it is the googly, on off and middle. David plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball and swings hard at it. The bat turns in his hand and the ball comes off the inner half. Holder is in really tight at a catching mid-wicket position and he gets both hands together to his right to snaffle it at chest height. 12/3 in the last 13 balls. RCB are 91/5 now.

9.3: Rashid Khan to Devdutt Padikkal, Dropped short and this is slower, on off. Devdutt presses back and drags the pull to deep mid-wicket for a run.

9.2: Rashid Khan to Tim David, A bit too full, on off, David drills it to long off for one.

9.1: Rashid Khan to Tim David, Uppish but safe! Pushed through, not all that short, outside off. David stays leg side and flashes at the ball. It goes off a thickish outside edge to backward point, where Siraj gathers it on the bounce.

Rashid Khan is now introduced into the attack.

8.6: Jason Holder to Tim David, On a length, outside off, Tim David punches it to deep cover for a single. A wicket and 9 runs from the over.

8.5: Jason Holder to Tim David, SIX! BANG! Jason Holder bangs a shorter one, on off. Tim David stays in his crease and pulls it up and over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.

8.4: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, On a shortish length, on off, Devdutt Padikkal flat bats it to long on for a single.

8.3: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Short of a length, on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal pulls to short fine, where the fielder makes a good stop to his right.

8.2: Jason Holder to Tim David, Short and outside off, this is slapped to deep point for a single.

Tim David is the new batter in.

8.1: Jason Holder to Jitesh Sharma, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Jitesh Sharma's slim run of form continues in the 2026 IPL. Jason Holder shaves a few clicks off the delivery and bowls it a tad fuller and outside off. Sharma goes for the drive but plays well away from the body and the outside edge is found. Jos Buttler springs to his right and takes a fine catch behind the stumps. RCB are 80/4 now.

Not quite sure why, but the fourth umpire is trying to explain why Patidar was given out to Andy Flower and also Virat Kohli. Anyway, Jason Holder to continue his spell...

7.6: Arshad Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Back of a length this time, pitching it on middle and shaping it away. Jitesh Sharma rocks back and opens the face of the bat to push it to point. Single taken. Jitesh Sharma is off the mark!

7.5: Arshad Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Fuller, just outside off, Jitesh Sharma lunges and dabs it to cover.

Jitesh Sharma now walks out to bat at number 5. RCB head coach, Andy Flower, is still seen having a word with the fourth umpire.

7.4: Arshad Khan to Rajat Patidar, OUT! CAUGHT! A catch that will be talked about for days to come. RCB are not happy at all with the decision, but they will have to get on with it. A massive moment in the game. Arshad hurls it on a hard length, over middle, Patidar gets on his toes for the pull and plays more of a jab, rather than going for the pull with a complete horizontal face of the bat. It is skied off a top edge over short fine leg, Kagiso Rabada turns around and goes after it. The tall Jason Holder also converges by getting around to his right in the deep. Holder spots Rabada towards him, but he commits to the catch and gets his hands out in front to grab the ball low on the slide. Patidar is asked to wait as the third umpire checks the legality of the catch. The replays do show that the ball, whilst being in Holder's left hand on the slide, was rubbing against the turf, but the third umpire felt that Holder was in control of his body, and it is deemed a fair catch.

Has Jason Holder taken the catch? It looked like Holder and Rabada actually got in each other's way, but Holder is running away in celebration. The third umpire is having a look at it. The catch seems fair, but has the ball slid onto the turf while Holder tried to stick the landing? The RCB dug-out doesn't seem happy but the third umpire has given it OUT.

7.3: Arshad Khan to Rajat Patidar, A well-directed bumper at 140.1 kph, over the left shoulder. Rajat Patidar ducks under it.

7.2: Arshad Khan to Rajat Patidar, Around the pads, on a back of a length. Rajat nudges it in the vacant mid-wicket region. He takes the first one hard and comes charging back for the second.

7.1: Arshad Khan to Rajat Patidar, SIX! Patidar welcomes his state teammate with a biggie. Arshad goes short first up but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. It comes around the waist, and Rajat nails the pull over mid-wicket for a six.

Arshad Khan comes in to replace Kagiso Rabada.

6.6: Jason Holder to Rajat Patidar, Pitches it up, on middle, Rajat Patidar nudges it down to long on for a single. 

6.5: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Full-length delivery, just outside the leg stump. Devdutt Padikkal skips down the track and flicks it toward deep square leg for a comfortable single.

6.4: Jason Holder to Rajat Patidar, On a length, outside off, Rajat Patidar hangs back and steers it to short third for a single.

6.3: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, Over middle and the length is dragged back, DDP goes deep in the crease and guides it through third man for a single.

6.2: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! More runs from the bat of Padikkal! Back of a length once again, outside off, Devdutt Padikkal stands tall and slaps to the left of deep point this time for four more.

6.1: Jason Holder to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Padikkal gives a warm greeting to Holder! Back of a length, angling it away from the left-hander. Devdutt Padikkal frees his arms and crunches it to the right of deep point for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A very well-contested first 6 overs of the game, and for now, neither team will feel that they are out in front. GT do have a couple of wickets to their name and have kept the scoring rate to just under 10 runs an over, but only have a couple of overs of Siraj and Rabada left now. RCB, on the other hand, will rely on the duo of Padikkal and Patidar to come good in the middle overs as their middle order hasn't faced too many deliveries, and they wouldn't want to expose them with plenty of overs to spare. An interesting phase of play is coming up. Also, Jason Holder comes on to bowl right after the break.

5.6: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, At the hips, on the shorter side. DDP gets on his toes and nurdles it square on the leg side for a single. End of an eventful Powerplay. After 6 overs, RCB are 59/2.

5.5: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, At 149.4 kph, on top of off, Patidar goes deep in the crease and guides it through point for a single.

5.4: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Keeps it nice and tight, on a short of a length, on off. Rajat stabs it down on the off side.

5.3: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Off the edge. Fuller and on off, Patidar pushes out in front. It goes off the outer half to short third.

5.2: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, FOUR! A lucky escape for the RCB skipper. Rabada goes into the surface, over middle. Patidar gets into an awkward position as he takes his eyes off the ball. He tries to fend it off and the ball goes off a top edge over short third. Mohammed Siraj sprints to his left in the deep and flings himself at the ball, but it drops out of his reach and trickles into the fence.

5.1: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Beaten! In the corridor, on a hard length, Patidar has a waft at it and is well beaten on the outside edge.

Time for a bowling change? Nope. Kagiso Rabada to bowl three on the trot as well.

4.6: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Just over! Siraj bashes the hard length and gets the ball to skid through, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal presses on the back foot but is late on the pull shot. The ball hits him high on the bat but clears the leaping Rashid Khan at mid-wicket. Rashid goes after it and puts in a slide, but in vain. The 50 is up for RCB.

4.5: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Dishes out a short of a good length, over off. Devdutt walks down the track and turns it to mid-wicket. Siraj chirps at Padikkal, and it is acknowledged with a nod by the batter.

4.4: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Brings the line closer to the off pole, Padikkal hangs back and taps it down to cover.

4.3: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Not exactly where Padikkal intended, but he will take it. A seam-up ball, going away, fractionally on the shorter side. Devdutt gives the bowler the charge and throws his hands at the ball. It flies off the outer half and well wide of deep backward point to his right.

4.2: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! A mighty blow! Siraj bangs it into the strip, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal picks up the length early and clears the front leg. He fights the angle and unleashes the pull off the front foot to clear the mid-wicket fence for a six.

4.1: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Across off, on a nagging length. Padikkal punches it on the up but can't get it past Jason Holder at a catching cover position.

Mohammed Siraj to continue? Yes, indeed.

3.6: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Rabada hits the back of a length, on off. Rajat hops to ride the bounce and pats it down the strip.

3.5: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Drags the length back and this is on middle. Patidar hops to block it off.

3.4: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, FOUR! A classy shot to get off the mark. Fuller than the previous ball, and Rabada keeps it at the stumps. Patidar presents the full face of the blade and does not try to overhit this one. Just eases himsef into the drive and plays it past the bowler's right for a boundary.

3.3: Kagiso Rabada to Rajat Patidar, Attacking the stumps, on the fuller side, watchfully defended by Patidar.

The RCB skipper, Rajat Patidar, is in next.

3.2: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Kagiso Rabada bounces back in grand style after being hit for five consecutive fours in the previous over. Rabada bends his back and digs it in short. A premeditated charge from Kohli and he tries to take on the short ball. He is in no position whatsoever to do so. The ball gets big on him and he is also cramped for room. Spoons it up off the upper half of the blade in front of square on the leg side. Rashid Khan moves to his right at mid-wicket from the inner circle and slides to take a safe catch. A brisk knock from Kohli comes to an end. RCB are 35/2.

3.1: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Better from Rabada! Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Virat looks to play it off the back foot but the ball nips back to catch the inside edge and deflects onto the pads.

3.1: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Wide! Sprayed down leg by Rabada. Kohli steps inside the line but misses out on the glance.

2.6: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, Tighter line, on top of off, on a short of a good length. Padikkal stands tall and keeps it out with a straight bat. A wicket and 7 runs off the over.

2.5: Mohammed Siraj to Devdutt Padikkal, A play and a miss! Zipping through at 140.5 kph, on a back of a length, going away. Devdutt Padikkal pokes at it from the crease but is beaten on the outside edge.

Devdutt Padikkal walks in at number 3 for RCB.

2.4: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. Jacob Bethell could not have picked out the fielder any better. Not the best of balls by Siraj, but he will take it. Little too straight, on the pads, on a length. Bethell brings his wrists into play to play the flick. He can't keep it down and it goes off the inner half straight to mid-wicket, where Rashid Khan gobbles it up near his waist. The 34-run opening stand has been broken.

2.3: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Well bowled. Kohli is just itching to get going now. He steps down the pitch but Siraj sees him coming and bashes the ball into the deck, angling it into the batter. Kohli gets cramped for room and the ball goes off the thigh pad just into the leg side. VK picks up a quick leg bye.

2.2: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, SIX! Kohli goes big now! Siraj lands it on a length, on off. Virat Kohli shimmies down the pitch and stays slightly leg side of the ball. He gets his hands through the ball and pumps it over mid on for a six.

2.1: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Half a shout for LBW! Nipping back in, on a good length. Kohli pushes out in front. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

An exhibition in shot-making from Virat Kohli in the last over. Mohammed Siraj to continue his spell.

1.6: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Full and on off, Kohli creams the drive down the strip. Rabada  sticks out his right boot and takes the sting out of the shot. It deflects away on the leg side in front of mid on for one.

1.5: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Kohli is putting on a real clinic. Five fours in a row for the master. Pitched up by Rabada, outside off, Kohli presses onto the front foot in a flash and plays a punchy drive in front of square this time. Threads it past cover to his right for four more.

1.4: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Four in a row for Kohli. This is on a length, outside off, Kohli leans into the drive with his hands and cracks it behind point. Mohammed Siraj sprints and dives to his left from deep backward point but fails to cut it off.

1.3: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries. Kohli is up and away. On the fuller side, just outside off. Kohli extends his hands into the drive and angles it to the right of backward point. Manav Suthar dives to his right and gets a hand on it but it is not enough.

1.2: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR MORE! This is even better. Rabada hurls it on a back of a length, outside off. Kohli presses on the front foot and hits it on the up. Launches it on the rise to the left of mid off for another boundary.

1.1: Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Banged away! Fractionally short first up by Rabada, around the off stump. It comes around the midriff to Kohli, who gets on his toes and pulls it aerially between mid-wicket and mid on for his first boundary.

A good tussle between bat and ball in the first over. Here's Kagiso Rabada to start from the other end.

0.6: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Width offered and Bethell cashes in! On a good length but Siraj errs in line. Jacob frees his arms and cuts it through the vacant point region. The ball skips across the turf and the man at deep backward point stands no chance.

0.5: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Swinging back into the pads, on a length, flicked straight to mid-wicket by Bethell.

0.4: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Angled back into the right-hander and the length is dragged back. Virat stabs it down off the back foot and he plays it so late that the ball bounces off the face of the bat over the sticks. He has a look at Bethell before setting off for a quick run as the ball dribbles towards the keeper.

0.3: Mohammed Siraj to Virat Kohli, Lovely! Shaping away a touch, fuller and in the channel. Kohli has a feel for it before withdrawing his bat. He is lucky not to nick this one behind.

0.2: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Bethell and RCB are away! Siraj hits the deck hard this time, wider on off. Jacob stays back and angles it to the left of short third for a single to get off the mark.

0.1: Mohammed Siraj to Jacob Bethell, Beats the bat straight away! Moving away off the seam at 135.6 kph, on a back of a length. Bethell hangs back and has a slight fiddle at the delivery. The ball lands and leaves him with the angle to go past the outside edge.

We are all set to get going. Jos Buttler is doing all the talking in the GT huddle. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli up top for RCB. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in hand and will get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's play...

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

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

Impact sub options for GT - Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Nishant Sindhu and Kulwant Khejroliya.

Gujarat Titans (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Manav Suthar.

The skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says they would have fielded first as well, but he feels that it is a good wicket to bat on. Hopes the side can put up a strong total and put GT under pressure. Patidar is pleased with the way the team has been playing. Adds that different players stepping up at various moments is a very positive sign for the team. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

The captain of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that the surface looks like it will have a bit of purchase in the first 4-5 overs for the pacers, and there might be some dew later on as well. Adds that they have two home games on the bounce, and that will define their season. Gill goes on to say that RCB are the defending champions and are a class side. Further mentions that the mood in the camp is positive after the last game, and they will look to keep their spirits high. Shubman ends by informing that they are going with the same side.

The flip of the coin lands in favour of Gill. Gujarat Titans elect to BOWL first.