IPL 2026: RCB smash 59/2 in powerplay against Gujarat Titans

Virat Kohli (Pic: PTI)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) raced to 59 for the loss of two wickets at the end of the powerplay against Gujarat Titans (GT), setting a brisk early tempo in their IPL 2026 clash.

Virat Kohli led the charge for RCB with a quickfire 28 off just 13 balls. The Indian star hammered five consecutive boundaries off Kagiso Rabada, taking 21 runs from a single over. However, Rabada had the last laugh, dismissing Kohli in the fourth over.

Devdutt Padikkal maintained the momentum, scoring 14 runs off 8 balls by the end of the powerplay.

Earlier, after winning the toss, GT captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl first, citing pitch conditions and the possibility of dew.

"We are going to bowl first. The surface looks a little dry and patchy. The first four or five overs might offer some swing, and if there's dew later, we prefer chasing. These are two very important points for us. We have two home games, including this one, and they will determine where we stand in the tournament. The boys are ready, and we are going with the same team," Gill said.

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar admitted he would have preferred to field first as well but remained confident of putting up a strong total.

"Obviously, we were looking to field first. But in the IPL, wickets are generally good for batting. There is some grass on the surface, but I don't think it will help bowlers too much. It should be a good pitch to bat on. We'll aim to put up a solid total and put them under pressure. The way we have played so far in the tournament has been very encouraging. We are going with the same team," Patidar said.

Confirmed Playing XI for both teams:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar