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IPL 2026, RCB vs GT Preview: Royal Challengers Bengaluru seek strong finish at home
TL;DR
RCB faces GT in IPL 2026 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with RCB's Rajat Patidar showcasing impressive form as captain. GT's Shubman Gill struggles in leadership despite being a top run-scorer.
Key points
- RCB plays GT at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
- Rajat Patidar is RCB's captain and top performer
- Shubman Gill leads GT but struggles this season
- GT recently lost to Mumbai Indians by 99 runs
- Patidar has 230 runs with a strike rate of 212.96
Royal Challengers BengaluruGujarat TitansRajat PatidarShubman Gill
BENGALURU: Friday's IPL clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium brings together two captains on opposite arcs. Rajat Patidar, who had only limited leadership experience on the domestic circuit before being handed the RCB captain’s job last season, has turned into the defending champions’ most explosive batter and a steady hand in a high-pressure campaign.
In contrast, Shubman Gill, arrives with a heavier leadership resume which includes the India in Tests and ODIs captaincy. But his season for Gujarat Titans has been far less fluent, especially in the Powerplay, even if his numbers still keep him among the league’s leading run-scorers. As a team, Gujarat are wobbling, having just recovered from a 99-run crushing against Mumbai Indians.
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Patidar’s rise has been one of the season’s sharper storylines. Before being handed RCB’s captaincy, his leadership experience had largely been limited to Madhya Pradesh’s campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He has backed that relative inexperience with fearless batting, dominating the middle overs in the last couple of seasons. Currently the team’s second highest run-scorer with 230 runs from six matches (strike rate 212.96), Patidar has been RCB’s power-hitting spark this season.
On the other hand, Gill’s season has been more uneven. The 26-year-old has had to carry a heavy scoring load this season while navigating patchy results around him. With a strike rate of 151.42, Gill sits third on the run-scorer’s chart with 265 runs from five matches.
With three half-centuries against his name, Gill as GT skipper has blown hot and cold, with the former champions undergoing an inconsistent run. This contrast between the skippers is at the centre of a contest in which both teams enter on the back of losses.
RCB have looked sharp in the Powerplay and at the death, with Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Patidar giving the order a strong top-end and Tim David a sizzling finish. GT, meanwhile, had won three in a row before their last outing, but the batting order was exposed in their crushing loss to Mumbai, underlining its dependence on the top order.
Q&A
What is the significance of the RCB vs GT match in IPL 2026?
The match is crucial for RCB as they aim for a strong finish at home, while GT seeks to recover from recent poor performances.
How has Rajat Patidar performed as RCB captain this season?
Rajat Patidar has excelled as RCB's captain, currently being the team's second highest run-scorer with 230 runs and a strike rate of 212.96.
Why is Shubman Gill's performance under scrutiny in IPL 2026?
Shubman Gill's leadership and batting have been questioned due to his inconsistent performance during the Powerplay, despite being among the league's leading run-scorers.