Phil Salt Back? RCB Strongest Playing XI vs GT, IPL 2026, Match 42

Phil Salt for RCB - (Source: AFP)

On Thursday, April 30, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will travel to the Narendra Modi Stadium to face the Gujarat Titans for IPL 2026 match 42. The two teams will lock horns against each other for the second time in a week.

The last time these two teams met was on April 24, when RCB registered a comfortable five-wicket win. Talking about the table, the Challengers are placed 2nd with 12 points in 8 matches. Gujarat, on the other hand, are placed fifth on the table with 8 points in 8 matches.

RCB vs GT Preview

The Gujarat Titans are fresh off a comfortable win over the Chennai Super Kings. However, they were without Prasidh Krishna, and the Shubman Gill-led side might bring the India seamer back into the attack. On the other hand, the team might not go ahead with any changes.

For RCB, the biggest question is about Phil Salt. The England opener has not played for RCB in the last two matches due to injury, and his participation is highly awaited. Therefore, this article will shed light on RCB’s strongest playing XI vs GT for IPL 2026 match 42.

RCB Likely Playing XI vs GT- Match 42

Openers and Top Order (Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal)

Amid the openers, Jacob Bethell will continue to open the innings with Virat Kohli. According to reports, Phil Salt has not travelled with the squad to Ahmedabad and is not even training in nets. Therefore, the England opener will miss out against the Gujarat Titans.

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Further, Devdutt Padikkal has been brilliant at No.3, as he has already amassed 242 runs in seven innings. He averages 40.33 with a strike-rate of 192.03.

Middle Order and All Rounders (Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd)

In the middle-order, RCB require no changes. In the last match against the Delhi Capitals, RCB’s middle-order didn’t get a chance to bat. Therefore, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd will continue to don the middle-order.

Romario Shepherd is the only weak link here, as the Caribbean star has scored just 39 runs in four innings. Further, with the ball, he has just three wickets, making the fans question his place in the team.

Bowlers (Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Kumar)

Among the bowlers, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Suyash Kumar will be the four bowlers.

Also, Rasikh Salam will come in as an impact sub. Talking about the last match against DC, the RCB bowlers restricted the Capitals to just 75 runs, the lowest total in the season.

RCB Strongest Playing XI vs GT- Match 42, IPL 2026

Jacob Bethell
Virat Kohli
Devdutt Padikkal
Rajat Patidar (C)
Jitesh Sharma (WK)
Tim David
Romario Shepherd
Krunal Pandya
Josh Hazlewood
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Suyash Kumar