The 14th match of IPL 2025 will feature the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST.
With RCB looking to maintain their unbeaten streak and GT aiming to bounce back after mixed results, this clash promises high-stakes action.
Match Overview
Fixture: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans
Date: April 2, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Live Streaming: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB enters this match as the table toppers, having won both their opening games convincingly.
The team boasts a star-studded lineup with both explosive batters and disciplined bowlers.
Key Players to Watch:
- Virat Kohli: Kohli has been in sublime form, scoring 90 runs in 2 matches, and will be crucial in anchoring RCB’s innings.
- Josh Hazlewood: The pacer has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, consistently providing breakthroughs with his accurate bowling.
- Phil Salt: Known for his aggressive batting, Salt has contributed significantly to RCB’s strong starts this season.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
GT comes into this match with one win and one loss in their first two games. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, GT will aim to find consistency and level their head-to-head record against RCB.
Key Players to Watch:
- Shubman Gill (C): Gill’s ability to lead from the front with his batting makes him a pivotal player for GT.
- Rashid Khan: The star spinner has been effective in taking wickets during crucial middle overs and remains a key weapon for GT’s bowling attack.
- Sai Sudharsan: Sudharsan has scored 137 runs in 2 matches, emerging as a reliable top-order batter for GT.
Pitch Report
The pitch at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is renowned for being batting-friendly, with short boundaries making it ideal for high-scoring games.
Pacers may find some assistance early on, but spinners often come into play during the middle overs as the pitch slows down slightly.
- Average First Innings Score: ~190 runs
- Teams Batting First Win Percentage: ~55%
Teams winning the toss are likely to prefer chasing due to dew factors that can aid batting in the second innings.
Weather Conditions
The weather forecast for Bengaluru indicates clear skies with temperatures around 28°C during match time. Dew is expected to play a significant role in the second innings, making it challenging for bowlers to grip the ball effectively.
RCB vs GT Match Insights
Both teams bring unique strengths into this contest:
- RCB will rely on their explosive batting lineup led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt while leveraging Josh Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling attack to restrict GT’s scoring opportunities.
- GT will look to capitalize on Sai Sudharsan’s top-order consistency and Rashid Khan’s spin magic to challenge RCB’s dominance at home.
With RCB holding a slight edge in head-to-head encounters (3 wins out of 5 matches), GT will be determined to level the rivalry and secure crucial points in IPL 2025.
