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The 2023 IPL group stage comes to an end on Sunday as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru. Royal Challengers Bangalore are 4/5 (1.80) to win with Gujarat Titans the slight underdogs at 1/1 (2.00).
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans, Match 70
- May 21, 2023 – 15:00 GMT
- M Chinnaswamy Stadium
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
Once again, we are expecting a strong batting wicket in Bengaluru. The average first innings score at this venue is 195 and we would not be surprised if we see both teams strike more than 200 runs.
The weather could well be the winner to end the group stage. Thunderstorms are forecast throughout the afternoon and into the evening in Bengaluru and the game could end up with reduced overs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans – Match Predictions
Both teams have won three of their last five matches and two of their last three although it is Royal Challengers Bangalore who are targeting their third successive victory. We expect a close contest but, with Gujarat Titans having nothing to play for, we are predicting a win for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Prediction 1
Royal Challengers Bangalore to hit most sixes
4/6 (1.67)
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Prediction 2
Mohammed Shami to be Gujarat Titans' Top Bowler
3/1 (4.00)
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Odds from
Probable 6s
Royal Challengers Bangalore have two of the top three six hitters in the tournament in their team (Faf du Plessis 36 and Glenn Maxwell 30) whereas Gujarat Titans’ top six hitter, Shubman Gill, is way down in 28th place with only 14 maximums. Hitting the most sixes never guarantees success in this game but we are backing Royal Challengers Bangalore to clear the ropes the most in this match.
Our prediction: Royal Challengers Bangalore to hit most sixes in the match at 4/6 (1.67).
Probable Wickets
Mohammed Shami has taken at least 19 wickets in every IPL campaign from 2019 onwards and this year he has already broken his own personal best. He is the leading wicket taker in the tournament, alongside teammate Rashid Khan, and took 4-21 in a brilliant performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game. On a pitch which will provide good pace and carry, we expect to see Shami put the ball in the right areas and get movement off the wicket to make him unplayable at times.
Our prediction: Mohammed Shami to be Gujarat Titans’ highest wicket-taker at 3/1 (4.00).
Man of the Match
Although he has had to play second fiddle to Orange Cap holder Faf du Plessis for the majority of the tournament, Virat Kohli has still been mightily impressive with 538 runs his best IPL return since 2016. In the last match he hit his sixth IPL century to go level at the top of the list with Chris Gayle and, with qualification riding on this match, we expect him to deliver at the top of the order for Royal Challengers Bangalore once more.
Our prediction: Virat Kohli to be the Man of the Match at 6/1 (7.00).
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans
There have been only two previous clashes between these sides in the IPL with both games taking place last season. The head to head score currently sits at 1-1.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
We saw a changing of the guard ahead of the last match with Anuj Rawat replacing the experienced Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps. Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood are both expected to miss out again with slight injury niggles.
Predicted XI: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj
Gujarat Titans
Although this will be the first game that Gujarat Titans have played since they confirmed their place as group stage winners with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, we are not expecting to see any players rested ahead of the playoffs.
Predicted XI: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma
How to Watch IPL 2023 in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
After 69 games already in the 2023 IPL , you are probably familiar with where to watch the matches. However, if you are just getting into the tournament in time for the play-offs, the game can be seen in full on Sky Sports Cricket or on the Sky Go App.
- Sky Sports Cricket (TV)
- Sky Go (Streaming)
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