Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 34 of IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, with much of the spotlight set to fall on Virat Kohli as he edges closer to a landmark 9,000 runs in the tournament.
Kohli’s milestone in sight for RCB
Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer in IPL history with 8,908 runs, needs 92 more to reach the 9,000-run mark. The numbers behind his consistency are striking: he has played 273 matches, striking eight centuries and 65 fifties in the process.
- Kohli has 8,908 IPL runs and requires 92 additional runs to hit 9,000.
- In 273 IPL appearances, he has made eight centuries and 65 fifties.
- He has been part of RCB since the IPL began in 2008 and has never gone into the auction.
- With eight IPL hundreds, Kohli also holds the record for most centuries in the league.
How Kohli has fared versus Gujarat Titans
Against Gujarat Titans, Kohli averages 87.75. His scoring record in those meetings includes 58 (53), 73 (54), 101* (61), 70* (44), 42 (27), and 7 (6).
- Against GT: 58 (53)
- Against GT: 73 (54)
- Against GT: 101* (61)
- Against GT: 70* (44)
- Against GT: 42 (27)
- Against GT: 7 (6)
RCB and GT team-form snapshots ahead of Match 34
RCB arrive at this fixture after suffering their first home loss of IPL 2026. They were beaten by Delhi Capitals on April 18, but the defending champions have still been among the more effective sides during the season and will aim to bounce back in their last home match at the Chinnaswamy.
After Friday’s game, RCB’s remaining two home fixtures will be hosted at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, are coming off a setback as they were thrashed by 99 runs by Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 20. That defeat snapped their momentum, ending a three-match winning streak, and GT will now look to regain their rhythm—though the move to Bengaluru is not an easy assignment.
Jos Buttler’s record versus RCB
While Kohli’s numbers provide plenty of intrigue, there is also a notable subplot for GT’s Jos Buttler. His record against RCB has been mixed: in his last five innings, Buttler has produced two hundreds and also registered two ducks.
- Jos Buttler’s recent record vs RCB: two hundreds and two ducks in his last five innings.
With Kohli closing in on the 9,000-run milestone and both sides seeking a response after their most recent results, Match 34 promises a high-stakes encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
