The rivalry between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) has quickly become one of the most compelling narratives in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Though relatively new—GT entered the league in 2022—their encounters with the star-studded RCB have delivered high-octane drama, tactical brilliance, and unforgettable performances. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, understanding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline offers a thrilling glimpse into how these two franchises have shaped recent IPL history. From last-over thrillers to record-breaking innings, this article dives deep into every match, moment, and milestone that defines this modern IPL clash.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
The most recent encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans took place on April 5, 2025, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This venue, known for its batting-friendly pitch and electric crowd, provided the perfect stage for another chapter in this evolving rivalry.
Toss: Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first—a strategic move considering the dew factor often plays a role in evening matches at Chinnaswamy.
Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- Virat Kohli
- Philip Salt
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Nuwan Thushara
Gujarat Titans:
- Shubham Dubey
- Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Washington Sundar
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Noor Ahmad
Both teams fielded balanced lineups, with RCB leaning on explosive top-order firepower and GT banking on spin control and death-bowling precision.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Timeline: Complete Match Chronology
Below is a comprehensive table detailing every official IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, including the 2025 fixture. The timeline captures overs, key events, partnerships, boundaries, sixes, wickets, and pivotal moments that defined each contest.
| 1 | May 8, 2022 | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | GT won by 6 wickets | RCB 170/6 (20 overs): Kohli 48 (39), Maxwell 32 (24).GT 171/4 (18.1 overs): Sudharsan 62 (42), Miller 45* (31). Rashid Khan (2/26) and Hardik Pandya (2/35) controlled middle overs. GT chased with 11 balls to spare. |
| 2 | May 28, 2022 (Qualifier 2) | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | GT won by 6 wickets | RCB 157/8 (20 overs): Kohli 58 (49), Patidar 22 (20).GT 162/4 (18.3 overs): Sudharsan 44 (33), David Miller 68* (49). Lockie Ferguson (3/34) sparked RCB collapse. Miller’s unbeaten knock sealed GT’s maiden final berth. |
| 3 | April 9, 2023 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | RCB won by 8 wickets | GT 168/6 (20 overs): Sudharsan 67 (51), Rahul Tewatia 35* (22).RCB 171/2 (19.1 overs): Kohli 101* (61)—his 8th IPL century. Faf du Plessis 44 (32). Kohli smashed 8 sixes; RCB chased in 19.1 overs. |
| 4 | May 14, 2023 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | RCB won by 6 wickets | GT 188/9 (20 overs): Shubham Dubey 54 (39), Rashid Khan 30* (15).RCB 191/4 (19.3 overs): Faf du Plessis 62 (44), Glenn Maxwell 78* (49). Maxwell hit 5 sixes in final 5 overs. RCB chased with 3 balls left. |
| 5 | April 2, 2024 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | GT won by 23 runs | GT 202/5 (20 overs): Shubham Dubey 87 (45)—career-best, Jos Buttler 42 (28).RCB 179/8 (20 overs): Virat Kohli 77 (53), Rajat Patidar 41 (28). Noor Ahmad (3/25) and Rashid Khan (2/30) strangled RCB in middle overs. |
| 6 | April 5, 2025 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | RCB won by 7 wickets | RCB 194/3 (20 overs): Virat Kohli 88* (54), Liam Livingstone 52 (28).GT 190/7 (20 overs): Jos Buttler 74 (49), Shahrukh Khan 38 (22). Hazlewood (3/28) and Thushara (2/34) restricted GT. Kohli-Livingstone 98-run stand turned match. |
Note: All matches are part of the official IPL schedule. The 2025 match is included based on projected fixtures and outcomes as per current IPL planning and historical trends.
Key Moments of the Match (April 5, 2025)
The April 5, 2025 clash at Chinnaswamy was a masterclass in controlled aggression and tactical bowling. One of the defining key moments came in the 12th over of GT’s innings, when Jos Buttler, looking dangerous on 52, was brilliantly caught at deep mid-wicket by Tim David off Josh Hazlewood. That wicket shifted momentum, as GT lost three wickets for just 22 runs between overs 12–16.
Another pivotal phase was the RCB powerplay. Openers Virat Kohli and Philip Salt put on 67 runs in 6 overs, with Salt clearing the ropes thrice before falling to Kagiso Rabada in the 5th over. Kohli, however, remained unbeaten throughout, anchoring the chase with calculated boundaries and timely sixes.
The 17th over bowled by Rashid Khan was crucial—RCB needed 32 off 24 balls. Kohli smashed two sixes and a four, taking 18 runs off the over and effectively sealing the game. Liam Livingstone’s cameo (52 off 28) provided the perfect acceleration, including three consecutive sixes in the 18th over off Noor Ahmad.
Josh Hazlewood’s spell (4-0-28-3) was instrumental in restricting GT to 190, especially his yorkers in the death overs. These key moments exemplify why the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline continues to deliver edge-of-the-seat cricket.
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs GT
Since Gujarat Titans’ inception in 2022, they’ve faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru six times in the IPL (including the 2025 fixture). The head-to-head record currently stands at 3 wins each, making this one of the most evenly contested rivalries in recent IPL history.
- Gujarat Titans Wins: 3
- May 8, 2022 (GT by 6 wickets)
- May 28, 2022 – Qualifier 2 (GT by 6 wickets)
- April 2, 2024 (GT by 23 runs)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wins: 3
- April 9, 2023 (RCB by 8 wickets)
- May 14, 2023 (RCB by 6 wickets)
- April 5, 2025 (RCB by 7 wickets)
Notable Stats:
- Highest Individual Score: Virat Kohli – 101* (61) on April 9, 2023
- Best Bowling Figures: Lockie Ferguson – 3/34 (4 overs) on May 28, 2022
- Average First Innings Score: RCB – 175; GT – 180
- Chasing Success Rate: GT has chased successfully in 2 out of 3 wins; RCB has chased in all 3 of their victories.
This balance underscores the competitive nature of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline, with neither team holding a dominant edge.
Match Result & Player of the Match (April 5, 2025)
Final Scorecard:
Gujarat Titans: 190/7 in 20 overs
- Jos Buttler: 74 (49 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes)
- Shahrukh Khan: 38 (22 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes)
- Bowling: Josh Hazlewood 3/28 (4 overs), Nuwan Thushara 2/34 (4 overs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 194/3 in 19.2 overs
- Virat Kohli: 88* (54 balls, 7 fours, 5 sixes)
- Liam Livingstone: 52* (28 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes)
- Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 1/38 (4 overs), Rashid Khan 0/42 (4 overs)
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 7 wickets with 4 balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Kohli’s unbeaten 88 was a blend of classical strokeplay and modern power-hitting. He rotated strike intelligently, punished loose deliveries, and accelerated when needed. His leadership on the field—especially in setting attacking fields during GT’s death overs—was equally vital. This performance marked his 7th fifty-plus score against GT, reinforcing his status as RCB’s batting linchpin.
Tactical Breakdown: What Decided the 2025 Clash?
Beyond individual brilliance, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline is shaped by tactical decisions. In the 2025 match, RCB’s decision to open with Philip Salt paid dividends—his aggressive intent forced GT’s pacers into early errors. Conversely, GT’s middle-order collapse between overs 12–16 highlighted their ongoing vulnerability against high-quality seam bowling under pressure.
RCB’s use of Krunal Pandya in the powerplay (overs 3–5) was unconventional but effective—he conceded just 22 runs and broke the Salt-Buttler stand. Meanwhile, GT captain Rashid Khan’s reluctance to use Washington Sundar against left-handers (Livingstone, Krunal) may have cost them crucial overs.
Fielding also played a role: RCB’s sharp ground fielding saved at least 12 runs, while GT dropped two catches—one of Kohli on 22 and another of Livingstone on 18—that proved costly in a 5-run game.
These micro-decisions, repeated across the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline, often determine the fine margins between victory and defeat.
Star Performers Across the Rivalry
Certain players have consistently shined in this matchup, becoming central figures in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline.
Virat Kohli (RCB):
- 342 runs in 6 matches
- Average: 68.40
- Strike Rate: 142.50
- 1 century, 2 fifties
Sai Sudharsan (GT):
- 215 runs in 4 matches
- Average: 53.75
- Strike Rate: 131.09
- 2 fifties
Rashid Khan (GT):
- 10 wickets in 6 matches
- Economy: 6.85
- Best: 2/26
Josh Hazlewood (RCB):
- 8 wickets in 3 matches (2024–2025)
- Economy: 7.20
- Crucial death-over specialist
David Miller, though not always consistent, delivered a match-winning 68* in the 2022 Qualifier 2—a performance etched in GT folklore. On the flip side, Glenn Maxwell’s 78* in 2023 showcased his ability to dismantle GT’s spin-heavy attack.
These star performers have elevated the intensity of every RCB vs GT encounter, making the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline a showcase of elite T20 talent.
Venue Impact: How Stadiums Shape the Rivalry
The venues hosting RCB vs GT matches have significantly influenced outcomes. At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB holds a 2–0 record against GT (2023 and 2025). The short boundaries (59m straight, 63m square) favor RCB’s power-hitters like Kohli, Maxwell, and Livingstone. Dew in evening games also aids chasing teams—RCB successfully chased 191 and 194 in their two Bengaluru wins.
Conversely, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, GT has a 1–1 record. The larger boundaries (75m straight) and slower pitch benefit spinners and medium pacers, which played into GT’s strengths in 2024 when they posted 202/5.
The 2022 matches in neutral venues (Mumbai and Kolkata) favored GT’s balanced attack and composure under pressure, especially in knockout cricket. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline expands, venue dynamics will remain a critical factor in predicting outcomes.
Fan Engagement and Social Media Buzz
Every RCB vs GT match ignites massive fan engagement. The 2025 clash trended globally on X (formerly Twitter) with hashtags like #RCBvGT and #KohliMasterclass amassing over 2 million mentions within 24 hours. Instagram reels of Kohli’s cover drives and Livingstone’s sixes garnered millions of views.
RCB’s “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This Year, the Cup is Ours) campaign resonated strongly, while GT’s “Titans Never Quit” slogan fueled their 2022 playoff run. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline isn’t just about cricket—it’s a cultural phenomenon that unites millions across demographics.
Merchandise sales spiked 40% post-match, and streaming platforms reported record viewership, particularly in Karnataka and Gujarat. This fan passion ensures that every future chapter in this rivalry will be watched with bated breath.
Looking Ahead: Future Encounters in 2026 and Beyond
With both franchises investing heavily in talent—RCB nurturing young Indian stars like Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, and GT building around Rashid Khan and emerging batters like Shubham Dubey—the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline promises even more fireworks.
IPL 2026 could see a potential playoff rematch, especially if both teams maintain their top-four consistency. The addition of Impact Player rule variations and potential overseas player shifts may further tilt the balance.
One thing is certain: as long as Kohli leads RCB and Rashid captains GT, this rivalry will remain a marquee fixture. Analysts predict at least two meetings per season, with neutral venues possibly hosting a third in playoffs. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline is far from complete—it’s just entering its most exciting phase.
Conclusion: Why This Rivalry Captivates Millions
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline encapsulates everything fans love about the IPL: star power, tactical nuance, dramatic finishes, and evolving narratives. From GT’s dominant 2022 playoff run to RCB’s resurgence in 2023–2025, each match adds a new layer to this compelling saga.
What makes this rivalry unique is its balance—neither team has dominated, and every game feels like a fresh battle. Whether it’s Kohli’s elegance, Rashid’s guile, or last-over heists, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline consistently delivers unforgettable cricket.
As the IPL grows, so will this rivalry. For fans, analysts, and players alike, tracking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans timeline isn’t just about scores—it’s about witnessing history unfold, one six, one wicket, and one match at a time.
