Bengaluru without Phil Salt, Prasidh Krishna unavailable for Gujarat as Shubman Gill elects to field

Shubman Gill won the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 30 and chose to field first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He cited a dry and slightly patchy surface that might offer swing in the first four to five overs alongside the possibility of dew in the second innings as the reasons for the decision.

Both teams have named unchanged XIs with RCB continuing without the injured Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell retaining his place as opener alongside Virat Kohli. GT go with the same side that beat CSK in their previous game keeping Arshad Khan in the XI ahead of Prasidh Krishna.

GT vs RCB: What both captains said at the toss

Gill was characteristically direct about the stakes. “Very important two points for us. We have the next two games including this one at home. These two games are going to determine where we stand and how far we go in the tournament.

They are the defending champions and have been playing really good cricket. Hopefully it’s going to be one heck of a game. After the last match the mood is nice and breezy. It’s all about giving everything you have and having the right attitude.” The acknowledgment that GT’s playoff fate essentially hinges on the next two home games reflects the pressure Gill and his side are under heading into tonight.

Patidar was focused and calm. “We were looking to field first. I don’t think the grass cover will help much. Hope we put up a good total on the board. The way we played the first half of IPL that was good to see. It’s a positive sign for us and we are looking forward to it. We’re playing with the same team.” RCB chasing was his preferred outcome and the toss going GT’s way means RCB get to bat first which Patidar seemed comfortable enough with given the surface.

GT vs RCB: The teams the context and what both sides need

RCB sit second on the table with 12 points and six wins from eight games. The defending champions are firmly in the playoff hunt and a win tonight strengthens their case for a top-two finish. Virat Kohli scored 81 in their earlier meeting this season when RCB chased down 206 at the Chinnaswamy. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood are available and the bowling attack that produced that extraordinary 13 for 6 powerplay against DC is fully operational.

GT are fifth with eight points from eight games and Gill was right that these next two home games are make or break for their season. Shubman Gill leads the Orange Cap race with 351 runs and his record at this ground across all T20 cricket remains extraordinary.

Prasidh Krishna has 12 wickets but an economy of 10.30 has cost him his place with Arshad Khan coming in ahead of him. Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada give GT genuine quality in the bowling attack and Jason Holder adds pace and all-round value.

Also READ: GT vs RCB Pitch Report: Ahmedabad stats and records ahead of IPL 2026 Match 42

GT vs RCB Playing XI

GT XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar.

RCB XI: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.

Tonight’s reverse fixture at Ahmedabad is the tie-breaker in this season’s contest between two sides who have been watching each other closely. RCB won at the Chinnaswamy. GT will be hoping the Narendra Modi Stadium does for them what it always seems to do for Shubman Gill.

GT vs RCB Impact Players

Gujarat Titans Impact subs: Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Nishant Sindhu, Kulwant Khejroliya

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Rasikh Salam Dar, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Venkatesh Iyer