Gujarat Titans will be looking for a sharper run of form when they take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an Indian Premier League contest at Ahmedabad on Thursday. With the tournament well past the halfway point, GT are desperate to find rhythm and avoid slipping further into the middle of the standings.
After eight matches, Gujarat Titans have won four and lost four, leaving them positioned in mid-table. Bengaluru, meanwhile, enter the matchup as the defending champions and carry momentum, having collected six wins from their eight games. Their rise has been powered largely by how they’ve struck with the new ball, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood operating as a damaging pair.
Bhuvneshwar has looked like he’s rediscovered his earlier swing ability, while Hazlewood has consistently tested batters with long, patient spells that force uncertainty and aim for the outside edge. The pressure they create upfront can shape the entire innings, and GT will have to be prepared for that early challenge.
Another factor for Gujarat is the threat posed in the middle overs by Krunal Pandya and the different looks he brings at that stage of the game. He is known for using variations to disrupt timing, and that could be crucial against a side that has sometimes struggled to dominate its opponents across phases.
Gujarat Titans have often been described as a batting unit that leans heavily on a few key names, particularly Sai Sudharsan, captain Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, who have again been among the principal run contributors. Washington Sundar has offered valuable support in the middle order, but finishing roles have not consistently gone to the expected level, with Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia yet to make a major impact.
To add more bite in the middle overs, Jason Holder has been brought into the batting mix, with the aim of strengthening the side’s ability to accelerate and finish more effectively when required.
The two teams also met recently, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning comfortably at the Chinnaswamy. In that earlier encounter, RCB successfully chased 206 and did so with seven balls remaining. Gujarat have also had a tough time imposing their game at home, losing two of their three matches at Motera, which adds another layer of concern ahead of Thursday’s fixture.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are considered the favourites, but the match still offers space for improvement. Jacob Bethell, who got his opportunity in the last two games after Phil Salt was sidelined with injury, could be eager to make a stronger statement after failing to have a major impact previously.
Bethell, a highly regarded player, will likely want to seize the moment on Thursday night, especially with the prospect of batting alongside Virat Kohli. His recent work on the international stage, including the T20 World Cup, showcased the variety in his strokeplay, and he may be ready to unleash that wider repertoire against the Gujarat bowling attack.
Bengaluru are also carrying confidence from their most recent outing, where they completely dismantled Delhi Capitals. That emphatic result should only reinforce belief within the camp as they prepare to face Gujarat.
After the success in Delhi, RCB batter Rajat Patidar highlighted the importance of maintaining routines and staying focused on each individual game. “It’s very important to follow your routines because you know it’s still a long way to go, but I think we are just taking one game at a time. And the positive is, as I mentioned last game also, that different players coming up and doing it for the team, I think that’s a good sign for us,” he said.
