The Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Gujarat Titans in Match 34 of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.Â
The defending champions lost to Delhi Capitals on April 18 and will be hoping to get back to winning ways after the blip. The team has looked balanced and carried on in a similar vein of form from the 2025 season. This will be their last home game in the league stage in Bengaluru, and the team will be hoping to close out their run in the city on a winning note.
The Titans come on the back of a 99-run hammering at the hands of the Mumbai Indians. While their bowling unit has been at its belligerent best, frailties in the middle order have come to the fore in all of their losses. They will be looking to put the poor result against the Mumbai Indians behind them when they visit one of the IPL’s most intimidating venues.Â
Here are the potential impact players for both teams in Match 34:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Rasikh Salam: The fast-bowler from J&K has picked up five wickets in his last three games, including a four-fer against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Jordan Cox: The wicketkeeper-batter is one of the most exciting T20 batters in England, but has yet to feature for RCB.
Mangesh Yadav: The highly-rated left-arm seamer was signed for INR 5.9 crores in the 2026 Mini Auction, but has yet to feature for the franchise.
Vicky Ostwal: The 2022 Under-19 World Cup winner has yet to feature for RCB. He is a skilled left-arm spinner who is solid at defending runs in the middle overs.
Venkatesh Iyer: The hard-hitting all-rounder made his debut for the defending champions as an impact player against the Royals, but has yet to be given a prominent role with the team due to the settled batting order.
Gujarat Titans:
Rahul Tewatia: He has been the regular impact player for the Titans, coming in as a finisher, but has been underwhelming with the bat so far.
Jason Holder: The West Indian all-rounder would add an extra bowling option, along with being handy with the bat in the back end. He is yet to make his debut for the Titans in IPL 2026.
Anuj Rawat: The wicketkeeper-batter from Delhi has played for RCB in the past and is a handy middle-order batter.
Kulwant Khejroliya: The veteran fast-bowler has played for three teams in the IPL in the past. He has yet to make his debut for the Titans.Â
Manav Suthar: The left-arm spinner has been one of the highly-rated players in the domestic circuit. His only appearance in the IPL came in 2024, with the Titans. He has not featured since.
Expert opinions and strategies:Â
Home Advantage: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost their last game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but are expected to have the momentum in this clash.
Recent Form: The teams have met six times in the IPL and have three wins apiece.
Balanced Side: RCB are one of the most balanced sides in the tournament, successfully ticking every box. With Titans’ middle-order issues being more prominent this season, the home team enters as the more balanced side.
Final Prediction: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter this clash as favourites due to the balance of their side and the bonus of playing at home.Â
