The final game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 league phase carries immense significance. Gujarat Titans (GT), who have already sealed qualification and are assured of a top-of-the-table finish, take on a desperate Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a do-or-die clash for the Men in Black and Red at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
The hosts have 18 points from 13 games and have already sealed their passage to the playoffs. However, RCB cannot afford a loss as they'll have to depend on MI losing to SRH in the second game today.
The Faf du Plessis-led side have 14 points from 13 points and need a win to go to 16 points and stand a chance of making it to the playoffs.
The hosts come in this game on the back of an eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while the visitors sealed a top spot with a 34-run win over the same opponents, SRH.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the predicted lineups, the best players, and the most important matchups in this game.
MORE: Bet on RCB vs GT here
Predicted lineups for RCB vs GT
RCB: Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat (WK), Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wayne Parnell, Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj
GT: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmed, Mohit Sharma
Best batsmen from RCB vs GT
Faf du Plessis (RCB): Currently the Orange Cap holder with 702 runs, Du Plessis has been extremely important to his side's fortunes this season, not just scoring fifties, but turning them into bigger knocks, although he hasn't scored a century yet. He will once again be crucial against the rampant Mohammed Shami, who has been scintillating with the new ball.
Virat Kohli (RCB): The Indian opener scored his first century in IPL after four years and displayed attacking intent right from the word go. He has shown that he can both play with intent in the powerplay and also drop the anchor in the middle overs to hold fort at one end.
Shubman Gill (GT): Another opener in this list, but Gill has been the one of the most in-form Indian batsmen in this year's IPL. Scoring 576 runs in 13 innings, including a sublime century in their previous game, Gill has set the tone early for the likes of Pandya, Miller, and Tewatia to finish the innings on a high.
Best bowlers from RCB vs GT
Mohammed Siraj (RCB): RCB's most important bowler this season, Siraj has been on song this season with his ultra-efficiency powerplay bowling, although he has shown that he can be very effective in other phases of the innings. Siraj will be key if RCB are to make early inroads against an in-form GT top order.
Mohammed Shami (GT): GT have been the most successful side this season, and one of the biggest reasons has been Shami, who has ran through the top order of most teams with his sensational seam bowling. Given RCB are extremely reliant on their top order, Shami will be crucial with the new ball.
Rashid Khan (GT): The Afghan spinner had a few games where he didn't look at his best this season, but has still managed to pick up 23 wickets, joint-most along with his teammate and Purple Cap holder Mohammed Shami.
MORE: Make your IPL 2023 predictions and win prizes with Dafabet in Premier League Million
Key battles from RCB vs GT
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis vs Mohammed Shami: Two openers who have scored 892 runs together this season might face a big challenge against Shami. The speedster has been dangerous with the swinging ball this season, with a majority of his wickets coming in the first six overs. It will be interesting to see how the Kohli-Faf duo go up against Shami.
Mohammed Siraj vs Shubman Gill: Yet another matchup that we'll witness in the powerplay. Gill can struggle against the moving ball, and Siraj is the perfect player to put in a battle against the flamboyant 23-year-old opener. Siraj will be key to restricting the GT machine.
