Bengaluru: A run-fest is on the cards as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 14th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday. With the pitch historically favouring batsmen, the average first-innings total at this venue stands at 168, but given recent trends, a target around 220-230 could be required for a competitive total.
RCB, buoyed by back-to-back victories in their opening fixtures, will be aiming to capitalise on home advantage. Gujarat Titans, having bounced back from an early defeat with a convincing win over Mumbai Indians, will look to sustain their momentum.
Virat Kohli remains the centre of attention for RCB, especially given his formidable record at this venue, where he has accumulated 3,040 runs in 89 matches at an average of 40.53. Kohli, along with Philip Salt and Rajat Patidar, forms a formidable batting lineup, which has already delivered in the tournament.
RCB’s bowling unit, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has looked sharp, with Hazlewood claiming five wickets in two games at an economy of just 5.37. Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya provide depth in the spin department.
For Gujarat Titans, Sai Sudharsan has emerged as the batting mainstay, having struck consecutive fifties to become the team's leading run-scorer this season. Skipper Shubman Gill, along with Jos Buttler, will be expected to anchor the innings and deliver a substantial total.
GT’s bowling attack, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, has the firepower to challenge RCB’s batting depth. Left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore has also impressed with his four wickets in the tournament so far.
With RCB having won both their encounters against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, they will enter the match as slight favourites. However, GT’s potent batting order and balanced bowling attack make them a formidable opponent.
The match is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST.
Teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Swastik Chikara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Philip Salt, Manoj Bhandage, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, Abhinandan Singh.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan, Karim Janat, Sherfane Rutherford, Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Kulwant Khejroliya, Mohammed Siraj.
