The IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is delicately balanced after RCB posted 169/8 in their 20 overs.

As GT gear up to chase under the floodlights, this match promises a thrilling second act, with both sides showcasing moments of brilliance and vulnerability in a rollercoaster first innings.

GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that bore fruit early as Mohammed Siraj unleashed a devastating spell. Phil Salt (14 off 13) was bowled, followed by Devdutt Padikkal (4 off 3), both undone by Siraj’s pace. Virat Kohli’s 7 off 6 ended with a catch to Prasidh Krishna off Arshad Khan, and Rajat Patidar’s 12 off 12 was halted by Ishant Sharma’s lbw shout, leaving RCB tottering at 42/4 after 6.2 overs.

The home crowd fell silent as GT’s bowlers tightened the screws.

Liam Livingstone turned the tide with a belligerent 54 off 40, smashing five sixes and a four, anchoring RCB’s fightback. Jitesh Sharma’s 33 off 21, studded with five fours and a six, forged a vital 52-run partnership until Sai Kishore had him caught.

Krunal Pandya’s brief 5 off 5 ended in Kishore’s hands, but Tim David’s 32 off 18—featuring three fours and two sixes—provided a late surge. Siraj (3/19) returned to dismiss Livingstone, and Prasidh Krishna (1/26) cleaned up David on the final ball, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar unbeaten on 1 off 2.

Siraj and Kishore (2/22) starred for GT, though Rashid Khan’s 0/54 proved costly. With 170 to chase on a seam-friendly pitch, GT face a stern test. RCB’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, will look to exploit early conditions. This one’s too close to call at the halfway mark.