Royal Challengers Bangalore's must-win game against Gujarat Titans to reach the playoffs    

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Our Predictions 

• Gujarat Titans' bowling spearheads Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan have 46 wickets between them  
• Royal Challengers Bangalore's middle and lower middle order have battled poor form in the tournament  
• Gujarat Titans' top order has done well, with openers Saha and Gill scoring 865 runs between them 

MATCH PREVIEW     

Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to play out its skins as they face the table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the 70th match of IPL 2023. RCB boosted its hopes of a playoff berth with an 8-wicket win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Titans also won against the same opponents in the last game. GT is already in the playoffs and won't face pressure like their opponents. RCB has to put in all they have in this game and finish within the Top 4 for the fourth season in a row.  

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview     

Faf du Plessis' side produced its best show in the last game. The bowlers had nearly thrown away the game, but the two talismanic batsmen at the top proved their skills and kept the side's hopes alive for a playoff berth. It will be a tougher battle against the Titans, and the RCB skipper would like his bowlers to stand up to this challenge and deliver in this must-win game.  

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli have 1240 runs between them this year, and the side will need a strong start from the pair. Glenn Maxwell has done well at No. 3, but beyond that, batsmen have struggled. Michael Bracewell and Mahipal Lomror must add runs in the middle order. The side will also expect contributions from Anuj Rawat, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Kedar Yadav in the lower middle order.  

Bowlers have struggled with their consistency barring Mohammad Siraj. He must rock the GT boat, opening the bowling with Wayne Parnell. The rest of the bowling doesn't look threatening, and they will need tight spells in the middle overs from Shahbaz Ahmed must bowl tight spells in the middle overs. Harshal Patel and Karn Sharma are leaking runs, and they must come up with a better performance here.   

Expected Starting XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore     

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Wayne Parnell, Anuj Rawat (wk), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Kedar Yadav (Impact Player) 

Gujarat Titans Preview     

Hardik Pandya's team sealed its playoff berth with a 34-run win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The defending champions have been consistent, with the top and middle order doing well. They have the most well-balanced attack this season. Pandya would like to use this opportunity to prepare for the 1st Qualifier game and expect a professional performance from his players.  

Shubman Gill will feel confident after his match-winning hundred in the last game. He and Wriddhiman Saha have done well, and the side will like an electrifying start from the pair. Pandya must anchor the innings in the middle order with Sai Sudarshan and David Miller. Rahul Tewatia, Dasun Shanaka, and Rashid Khan add firepower to this line-up, making it strong.   

Mohammad Shami has 23 wickets under his belt and is troubling opponents. He must put RCB on the backfoot with early wickets, sharing the ball with Yash Dayal. Rashid Khan will like to work his magic in the middle overs. Mohit Sharma, Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, and Noor Ahmed add variety to this attack, making it strong.  

Expected Starting XI for Gujarat Titans     

Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), David Miller, Dasun Shanaka, Rahul Tewatia, Sai Sudharsan, Mohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Yash Dayal (Impact Player) 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

Most teams prefer to bowl here, but the last four games have seen sides successfully defend the total. The captains shall be in two minds at the toss. However, we may see a rain-curtailed game and thus expect the side winning the toss to have no hesitation in bowling first in this game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect overcast skies over Bengaluru, with chances of rain during the game. The wicket will be flat, but there will be some juice on this surface. Bowlers have little on this wicket and have to use their variations well. Batsmen have scored runs early on this track, and we will see another high-scoring game.  

OUR PREDICTION      

Royal Challengers Bangalore have won the last two games with big margins. Their openers have delivered a strong show, and this is both a strength and a weakness for the side. The rusty middle order and the bowling attack must stand up to the challenge to win this game. Gujarat Titans have had their key players in good form. Their bowling attack has done well, and the openers have troubled opponents. We expect a close game, but the Titans shall start favorites.  

Our Prediction is for Gujarat Titans to win