Bengaluru is set for a rare spectacle on Wednesday night, with two of India’s biggest sports stars—Virat Kohli and Sunil Chhetri—playing within a stone’s throw of each other. The city’s traffic cops are gearing up for a challenging evening, as thousands are expected to flood the Chinnaswamy Stadium and Sree Kanteerava Stadium simultaneously.
RCB Returns Home with Momentum
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) come into this fixture on the back of two straight wins, a feat they’ve only managed twice before in 2014 and 2021. Their belief in home advantage has often been questioned, but last year’s late charge to the playoffs, powered by three straight wins at Chinnaswamy, has instilled confidence in the squad.
This season, RCB has built a lineup designed to handle Bengaluru’s challenging pitches. They boast a potent pace attack, a dependable spinner who sticks to his strengths, and a deep batting order. This will be their ultimate test—to prove that home advantage isn’t just a myth.
Gujarat Titans Face Selection Dilemmas
Gujarat Titans (GT) are yet to settle on their ideal lineup. Their biggest question: Should Jos Buttler open alongside Shubman Gill to inject power into the early overs? Middle-order concerns remain, with Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford expected to take on more responsibility in the absence of David Miller. Rahul Tewatia, once a late-over specialist, has yet to rediscover his finishing form.
GT’s bowling, however, remains a strong suit. Mohammed Siraj, now in GT colors, will return to a venue he called home for seven years. Rashid Khan, as always, is a game-changer, whether the pitch offers turn or not. The Titans will need every bit of their bowling prowess to counter RCB’s firepower.
Familiar Faces in New Jerseys
Several players will be facing their former teams for the first time since switching sides. Siraj, a fan favorite at RCB, will be donning GT colors. Anuj Rawat, Sherfane Rutherford, and Mahipal Lomror also have RCB experience and could play a crucial role in Gujarat’s strategy.
For RCB, the focus will be on ensuring Devdutt Padikkal fits seamlessly into his new role. After stints at Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, he is expected to provide the kind of impact that Shivam Dube has had for CSK. His quickfire 27 off 14 balls against Chennai hinted at what he can offer.
Tactical Decisions and Key Matchups
- RCB’s bowling choices: With Chinnaswamy’s history of being tough on leg-spinners, RCB might hold back Suyash Sharma in favor of additional pace options.
- GT’s batting order: With Miller gone and Tewatia facing fewer balls than he should, should GT rethink its middle-order composition?
- Shubman Gill’s form: The GT skipper has looked dangerous this season, striking at 173.17. His struggles in powerplays last year were a concern, but he has flipped the script in 2024, striking at 203.12 in the first six overs.
- RCB’s record at home: Since IPL 2023, they have a 50% win rate at Chinnaswamy, ranking sixth among all teams. CSK and MI lead with 64.7% and 60% home win rates, respectively.
The Pitch and Conditions
Despite Bengaluru’s reputation for high-scoring encounters, recent matches have painted a different picture. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 knockouts last December, no team managed to breach the 200-run mark in seven games. The same was seen in the Women’s Premier League, where spinners found assistance from the surface.
RCB director Mo Bobat expects a “typical Bengaluru pitch”—plenty of runs, but with enough for spinners to stay in the game. Dew has not been a major factor in recent games, which could play into the hands of bowlers who rely on grip.
What’s Next?
RCB’s schedule remains balanced, with no more than two consecutive home fixtures in the first half. After Wednesday, they travel to Mumbai for a clash against the Indians on April 7 before returning home to face Delhi Capitals on April 10.
GT, on the other hand, will quickly shift gears to an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6, followed by a return to Ahmedabad to take on Rajasthan Royals on April 9.
