New Delhi: Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans are coming into today’s IPL 2026 match after defeats in their previous games. Defending champions RCB lost their last match against Delhi Capitals by six wickets at home in Bengaluru, while GT’s three-match winning streak also ended at home as they were beaten by Mumbai Indians by 99 runs.So, both teams will be looking to bounce back from Friday’s contest to continue their march towards the playoffs.RCB are also playing their last home fixture of the season in Bengaluru and will look to sign off in style with a win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Despite losing their last game, RCB are very much among the top four teams in the standings, with 8 points from six games, currently at the third spot. GT, who started the campaign with two defeats, were on a roll with a hat-trick of wins before stumbling against MI, and are currently in seventh position with 6 points from six games.Ahead of the crucial contest in Bengaluru, here are five key player battles that could shape today’s outcome:Bhuvneshwar Kumar Vs Shabman GulIn this matchup, RCB’s veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar dominated, dismissing Shibman Gill four times in 11 innings. Gayle scored just 66 off 64 balls at a strike rate of 103.12 against Bhuvi, hitting just one six.Virat Kohli Vs Kagiso Rabada.RCB’s star batsman Virat Kohli has the same record against Kagiso Rabada, scoring just 36 runs in seven innings. Rabada dismissed him three times and did not hit Kohli for a six in 32 balls.Josh Hazlewood Vs Jos ButtlerGT batsman Jos Buttler dominated the contest scoring against Josh Hazlewood at a strike rate of 146.87. In four IPL meetings, Buttler has scored 47 runs off 32 balls while Hazlewood has dismissed him only once.Rajat Patidar Vs Rashid KhanRCB captain Rajat Patidar has been in superb form this season, scoring 230 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 212.96. In the middle overs, he will be up against Rashid Khan, a spinner who has been a major threat this season despite a modest start.Phil Salt vs. Muhammad SirajGT pacer Muhammad Siraj dismissed Phil Salt twice in four IPL meetings. However, Salt scored 200 runs against them, a 28-ball 56, including six maximums, and will be eyeing another big score.
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Who has the upper hand in Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Shibman Gill matchup?
