Table of Contents
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans have developed a competitive IPL rivalry despite Gujarat joining the league only in 2022. Their first meeting came in the 2022 season, giving the matchup a relatively short history compared with many established IPL rivalries. Since then, the two teams have produced close finishes, high-scoring chases, dominant bowling displays and important playoff encounters. The rivalry became even more significant in 2026, when RCB and GT met three times, including Qualifier 1 and the IPL final. RCB won two of those three matches and ultimately defeated Gujarat in the final to retain the IPL trophy. The overall recent head-to-head record has remained closely balanced, making this a matchup where individual performances and conditions have often determined the result. This timeline covers the major meetings, important milestones, memorable encounters and key turning points between the two franchises.
Match Timeline
The RCB-GT rivalry began in 2022 and has developed rapidly.
| Year | Event | Result |
| 2022 | First IPL meeting | Gujarat won by 6 wickets |
| 2022 | Second meeting | RCB won by 8 wickets |
| 2023 | League meeting | Gujarat won by 6 wickets |
| 2024 | First meeting | RCB won by 9 wickets |
| 2024 | Second meeting | RCB won by 4 wickets |
| 2025 | League meeting | Gujarat won by 8 wickets |
| 2026 | First meeting | RCB won by 5 wickets |
| 2026 | Second meeting | Gujarat won by 4 wickets |
| 2026 | Qualifier 1 | RCB won by 92 runs |
| 2026 | IPL Final | RCB won by 5 wickets |
The rivalry has therefore produced a mixture of results rather than one team’s complete dominance.
2022: The Rivalry Begins
Gujarat Titans entered the IPL in 2022 and immediately faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru during their debut season.
The first meeting took place on April 30, 2022.
Gujarat scored 174/4 from their 20 overs.
RCB replied with 170/6.
Gujarat therefore won by six wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 174/4 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 170/6 |
| Result | GT won by 6 wickets |
The result gave Gujarat a winning start in their first-ever matchup against RCB.
2022: RCB Respond
The teams met again later in the same season.
This time, RCB produced a convincing response.
Gujarat scored 168/5.
RCB chased the target successfully, reaching 170/2 and winning by eight wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 168/5 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 170/2 |
| Result | RCB won by 8 wickets |
The match demonstrated RCB’s ability to control a chase against Gujarat.
The two teams therefore finished their first season against each other with one victory apiece.
2023: Gujarat Take the Lead
The teams met again in the 2023 IPL season.
RCB scored 197/5 after batting first.
Gujarat successfully chased the target by reaching 198/4.
| Team | Score |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 197/5 |
| Gujarat Titans | 198/4 |
| Result | GT won by 6 wickets |
The result was particularly significant because Gujarat successfully chased a total close to 200.
The victory also ended RCB’s hopes of progressing further in that season.
2024: RCB’s Strong Response
The 2024 season produced two meetings, and RCB won both.
In the first match, Gujarat scored 200/3.
RCB chased the target with considerable authority, reaching 206/1 and winning by nine wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 200/3 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 206/1 |
| Result | RCB won by 9 wickets |
The result was notable because RCB completed the chase with only one wicket down.
2024: Second Victory
The teams met again later in the season.
Gujarat were dismissed for 147.
RCB reached 152/6 and won by four wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 147 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 152/6 |
| Result | RCB won by 4 wickets |
This gave RCB a 2-0 season record against Gujarat.
The two victories also temporarily shifted the overall rivalry in Bengaluru’s favor.
2025: Gujarat Return to Winning Ways
Gujarat responded in 2025.
RCB scored 169/8.
Gujarat chased the target successfully, reaching 170/2 and winning by eight wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 169/8 |
| Gujarat Titans | 170/2 |
| Result | GT won by 8 wickets |
Gujarat’s chase was controlled and efficient.
Reaching the target with only two wickets down showed the strength of their top order.
2026: RCB Win a High-Scoring Thriller
The first RCB-GT meeting of 2026 took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Gujarat posted an impressive 205/3.
RCB responded with 206/5 in 18.5 overs.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 205/3 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 206/5 |
| Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
RCB’s chase was one of the most important regular-season victories in the rivalry.
Virat Kohli scored 81 from 44 balls and played a major role in the successful pursuit.
The match demonstrated how effectively RCB could chase a total above 200.
2026: Gujarat Level the Season
The teams met again in Ahmedabad on April 30, 2026.
RCB were dismissed for 155.
Gujarat chased the target, reaching 158/6 and winning by four wickets.
| Team | Score |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 155 |
| Gujarat Titans | 158/6 |
| Result | GT won by 4 wickets |
The victory gave Gujarat an important response after their earlier defeat in Bengaluru.
The two sides therefore entered the playoffs with their 2026 league meetings level at one win each.
2026 Qualifier 1
The rivalry reached a new level when RCB and Gujarat met in Qualifier 1.
RCB produced a remarkable batting performance.
They scored 254/5.
Gujarat were then bowled out for 162.
RCB won by 92 runs.
| Team | Score |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 254/5 |
| Gujarat Titans | 162 |
| Result | RCB won by 92 runs |
The 92-run victory was one of the largest margins in the history of the matchup.
The result also sent RCB directly into the IPL final.
Gujarat received another opportunity to reach the final through Qualifier 2.
2026 IPL Final
The most important meeting in the rivalry came on May 31, 2026.
RCB and Gujarat met in the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat batted first and scored 155/8.
RCB chased the target and reached 161/5 in 18 overs.
RCB won by five wickets and successfully defended their IPL championship.
| Team | Score |
| Gujarat Titans | 155/8 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 161/5 |
| Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
The final gave RCB their second IPL title.
It also meant that RCB won two of the three meetings against Gujarat during the 2026 season.
Memorable Encounters
The rivalry’s first memorable chapter came in 2022 when Gujarat won their first-ever meeting before RCB immediately responded with an eight-wicket victory.
The 2023 match was another important contest because Gujarat successfully chased 198 against RCB.
The 2024 season belonged to RCB, who won both meetings.
The 2026 season produced the rivalry’s biggest stage so far, with the teams meeting three times, including Qualifier 1 and the final.
Important Milestones
Several milestones stand out in the short history of the rivalry.
Gujarat won the first meeting between the teams in 2022.
RCB recorded their first victory against Gujarat in their second meeting.
Gujarat won the 2023 encounter after chasing 198.
RCB won both meetings in 2024.
The 2026 season produced three meetings.
RCB defeated Gujarat by 92 runs in Qualifier 1.
RCB then defeated Gujarat again in the IPL final.
The 2026 final became the biggest match in the history of the rivalry.
Tournament Meetings
Unlike many established IPL rivalries, RCB and GT have only recently begun appearing against each other in major playoff matches.
| Year | Stage | Winner |
| 2022 | League | Gujarat Titans |
| 2023 | League | Gujarat Titans |
| 2024 | League | RCB |
| 2025 | League | Gujarat Titans |
| 2026 | League | RCB |
| 2026 | League | Gujarat Titans |
| 2026 | Qualifier 1 | RCB |
| 2026 | Final | RCB |
The 2026 season was especially important because the teams faced each other three times.
Historic Wins
Gujarat’s first-ever victory against RCB in 2022 was historically important for the new franchise.
Their 2023 victory was also notable because they chased 198.
For RCB, the 2024 nine-wicket victory was a major statement.
The 2026 Qualifier 1 victory was even more dominant, with RCB winning by 92 runs.
The 2026 final became the biggest victory in terms of tournament importance because it decided the IPL champion.
Record-Breaking Performances
The rivalry has already produced several impressive batting totals.
Gujarat scored 205/3 in the 2026 league meeting in Bengaluru.
RCB chased that target by reaching 206/5.
Later in the same season, RCB scored 254/5 against Gujarat in Qualifier 1.
Gujarat were dismissed for 162.
The 254/5 remains one of the most significant RCB batting performances against the Titans.
Highest Team Totals
The rivalry has developed into a high-scoring contest.
| Team | Highest Total |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 254/5 |
| Gujarat Titans | 205/3 |
RCB’s 254/5 came during the 2026 Qualifier 1.
Gujarat’s highest total in the recorded rivalry came in the 2026 league match at Bengaluru.
Lowest Team Totals
The matchup has also produced significant batting collapses.
| Team | Notable Low Total |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 155 |
| Gujarat Titans | 147 |
These scores came during successful run chases by the opposition.
Gujarat’s 147 in 2024 was successfully chased by RCB.
RCB’s 155 in 2026 was chased by Gujarat.
Biggest Winning Margins
The largest margin in the rivalry came in Qualifier 1 of the 2026 IPL season.
RCB defeated Gujarat by 92 runs.
| Team | Biggest Victory |
| RCB | 92 runs |
| GT | 8 wickets |
Gujarat’s biggest win came by eight wickets, achieved in both 2023 and 2025.
Closest Matches
The rivalry has also produced several close contests.
The 2026 league match in Bengaluru was decided with only seven balls remaining, while the 2024 meeting in Ahmedabad was a four-wicket result.
The 2026 final was also decided by five wickets, with RCB completing the chase in 18 overs.
The teams have therefore produced both dominant victories and competitive finishes.
Recent Matches
The most recent phase of the rivalry has been particularly active.
| Date | Stage | Winner | Margin |
| April 24, 2026 | League | RCB | 5 wickets |
| April 30, 2026 | League | GT | 4 wickets |
| May 26, 2026 | Qualifier 1 | RCB | 92 runs |
| May 31, 2026 | Final | RCB | 5 wickets |
RCB won three of these four matches.
Gujarat’s only victory during this period came in the April 30 league meeting.
Head-to-Head Record
The overall rivalry has remained close.
After the 2026 final, the two teams had met 10 times.
| Statistic | RCB | GT |
| Matches | 10 | 10 |
| Wins | 6 | 4 |
| Losses | 4 | 6 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
RCB therefore hold a two-match advantage in the overall record after the 2026 final.
The balance has shifted several times since the rivalry began.
Home and Away Pattern
The teams have played at several important IPL venues.
| Venue | Notable Result |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | RCB won several high-scoring contests |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Gujarat have recorded important victories |
| Wankhede Stadium | Teams met during the early rivalry |
| Brabourne Stadium | Important 2022 meeting |
| Dharamsala | 2026 Qualifier 1 |
The different venues have created varying conditions for both batting and bowling.
RCB Batting Strength
RCB’s batting has traditionally revolved around experienced top-order players.
Virat Kohli has been a central figure in their matches against Gujarat.
The franchise has also relied on aggressive middle-order batters capable of accelerating during the second half of the innings.
The 2026 Qualifier 1 performance showed the ceiling of the RCB batting unit when several players contributed at a high scoring rate.
Gujarat Batting Strength
Gujarat have built their batting around a combination of technically strong top-order players and powerful middle-order options.
Shubman Gill has been one of the key figures in the franchise’s batting structure.
Sai Sudharsan has also become an important run scorer.
The team’s ability to chase totals has been particularly evident in victories against RCB in 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026.
RCB Bowling Strength
RCB’s bowling has undergone considerable changes throughout the rivalry.
The franchise has increasingly focused on experienced fast bowlers and reliable death-over options.
The 2026 Qualifier 1 provided a strong example of their bowling effectiveness because Gujarat were dismissed for 162 after RCB had posted 254/5.
Gujarat Bowling Strength
Gujarat’s attack has featured a mixture of fast bowling and world-class spin.
Their bowling unit has often been built around players capable of taking wickets during the middle overs.
The attack also played an important role in the 2026 league victory over RCB, when Bengaluru were restricted to 155.
Tactical Evolution
The tactical side of the rivalry has developed quickly.
In the early meetings, both teams relied heavily on their established top-order players.
As the rivalry developed, matchups became increasingly important.
RCB have often looked to maximize powerplay scoring before using their middle-order depth.
Gujarat have generally emphasized balanced innings construction, combining controlled batting with attacking bowling during the middle overs.
The 2026 matches showed how quickly those strategies could change from one game to another.
Interesting Statistical Facts
The first RCB-GT meeting took place in 2022.
Gujarat won their first match against RCB by six wickets.
RCB’s first victory over Gujarat came later in the same season.
The teams split their two meetings in 2022.
Gujarat won the 2023 meeting.
RCB won both matches in 2024.
Gujarat won in 2025.
The two teams played four major matches against each other in 2026 when including the playoffs.
RCB scored 254/5 in Qualifier 1.
RCB won Qualifier 1 by 92 runs.
RCB defeated Gujarat again in the 2026 final.
The final victory allowed RCB to retain the IPL championship.
Season-by-Season Pattern
| Season | RCB Wins | GT Wins |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 | 1 |
The table shows how the balance has shifted from season to season.
RCB had their strongest season against Gujarat in 2026, winning three matches.
Gujarat’s strongest period came during the early years of the rivalry and again in the 2025 season.
Major Records
The major statistical records include RCB’s 254/5 in the 2026 Qualifier 1 and Gujarat’s 205/3 in the 2026 Bengaluru league match.
RCB’s 92-run victory in Qualifier 1 is the largest winning margin in the rivalry.
Gujarat’s biggest wins have come by eight wickets.
The 2026 final is the most significant match between the teams because it decided the IPL championship.
Rivalry Trends
The rivalry has evolved rapidly because Gujarat entered the IPL only in 2022.
The first two seasons produced an even split and a Gujarat victory.
RCB then dominated the 2024 meetings.
Gujarat responded in 2025.
The 2026 season changed the picture again, with RCB winning three of their four meetings against Gujarat.
The teams have also become increasingly comfortable in high-scoring matches.
Conclusion
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans rivalry may be younger than many IPL matchups, but it has already produced several major moments. Beginning in 2022, the teams quickly established a competitive pattern, with Gujarat winning the first meeting and RCB responding later that season. Gujarat won again in 2023, while RCB controlled the 2024 season with two victories. The balance shifted once more in 2025 before RCB produced their strongest campaign against Gujarat in 2026. That season included a five-wicket league victory, a 92-run Qualifier 1 win and a five-wicket victory in the IPL final. By the end of the 2026 final, RCB led the overall head-to-head record 6-4. The final also gave the rivalry its biggest stage yet, with RCB successfully defending their IPL title against Gujarat.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans first play each other?
RCB and Gujarat Titans first met during the 2022 IPL season. Gujarat won the first encounter by six wickets.
Who has the better head-to-head record between RCB and GT?
After the 2026 IPL final, RCB had won six of the ten completed meetings, while Gujarat had won four.
What was the biggest RCB victory over Gujarat Titans?
RCB’s biggest victory came in the 2026 Qualifier 1, when they defeated Gujarat by 92 runs after scoring 254/5.
How many times did RCB and Gujarat meet in 2026?
The teams met four times during the 2026 season when the two league matches, Qualifier 1 and the final are included.
Who won the 2026 IPL final between RCB and Gujarat Titans?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the 2026 IPL final, successfully defending their championship.
