Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Tips: RCB machine looks unstoppable

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Thursday 30 April,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team news

Gujarat Titans are fifth but could be four points off fourth by the time they play if Sunrisers beat Mumbai. They have four wins from eight and a negative net run rate which more than hints at significant issues.

Their lack of batting power is the major concern. But how much they are aware of this is not clear. Bringing in Jason Holder would suggest they recognise the more six-hitters. But dropping Glenn Phillips for the West Indians doesn't. They are going to have to come to terms with axing Kagiso Rabada if they want better balance.

Prasidh Krishna missed Gujarat's success oiver Chennai. So reason was given for the absence but it is to be assumed it was injury given his importance.

Possible XI: Sai, Gill, Buttler, Sundar, Tewatia, Shahrukh (sub Siraj), Holder, Rashid, Rabada, Ashok, Prasidh

Royal Challengers Bangalore have won back-to-back games after the surprise defeat by Delhi. They got their revenge, however, bowling out the Capitals for just 75 in the most one-sided game this season.

Josh Hazlewood took four for 12 and they look every inch the champions. There does remain a possible change in their line-up, though. Once Phil Salt is fit again he should really come back in at the expense of jacob bethell as the man in posession.

Possible XI: Bethell/Salt (sub Suyash), Kohli, Padikkal, Patidar, Jitesh, David, Shepherd, Krunal, Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, Rasikh

Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL pitch report

The run rate in the 20 night matches in IPL in the last three years is 9.54. Batting first is the way to go with that number climbing to 9.93 as opposed to 9.1 in the chase.

Sportsbook offer over 197.5 first-innings runs at 5/61.84 when we would expect the par line on the Exchange to be busting 200. That has won in eight of the last ten. It would be considered a disappointing score regardless of who was batting first.

Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL match prediction

Not so long ago RCB would have been a massive swerve at significant odds-on to win an IPL game. Indeed, the strategy was clear: take them on when favourites.

Not any more. With one title in the bag they are well set to finish in the top two to give themselves two chances to make another final. It is time now to start wondering whether they are short enough.

Really crack franchise units with pedigree go off in that 1.608/13 region. On the Exchange RCB are now 1.768/11, which is surprisingly big. RCB don't appear to have many weaknesses and are coached by Andy Flower, who is recognised as the Pep of the format.

Gujarat, as discussed, have issues and with the expectation that the visitors would have been shorter, there's nothing wrong with betting them. With a score of 200 on the board GT will take a chunk out of their price but we would still bet Bangalore to get up to 230.

Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL player bets

On a probable good batting wicket this is another game where it makes sense to play safe and bet milestones for batters instead of running the risk and getting pipped on the top bats. Virat Kohli, then, is a nice price to score 60 at 9/43.25. He has an insane record against GT averaging more than 80. Shubman Gill is also one to consider with a decent score seemingly just around the corner given form tracking. The 11/82.38 that he notches 40 looks a fair one. He has a century to his name against RCB.

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