Speculation continues to grow around Jacob Bethell and his possible inclusion in the playing XI as Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to take on Gujarat Titans in their upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 clash. The debate has intensified after RCB’s heartbreaking last-ball loss to Delhi Capitals, which exposed a few concerns around their finishing and team balance.
In that game, Romario Shepherd conceded 16 runs in the final three deliveries, turning what looked like a win into a defeat. A costly full toss and lack of control at the death became the major talking points, and soon after, discussions shifted towards whether a change in the XI was needed.
Many fans have called for Bethell’s inclusion, given the promise he has shown in international cricket.
Will Jacob Bethell feature in RCB XI vs GT?
There is no official confirmation yet on whether Jacob Bethell will be part of the playing XI against Gujarat Titans. However, recent visuals from training sessions show him putting in serious work, suggesting that he is very much in contention for a place.
Bethell practiced for 3 hours today. His longest. Starboy is all set to play next RCB game pic.twitter.com/NKTmeahNLE
— ` (@8eenpoint5) April 21, 2026
At the same time, the team management has a decision to make. Romario Shepherd brings value with the ball, especially in the middle overs, and has generally been reliable. Bethell, in contrast, is primarily a batting all-rounder who can contribute with part-time off-spin. The choice essentially comes down to balance versus additional batting strength.
Despite this, there is a strong possibility that Bethell could be drafted into the XI. The left-hander was in excellent touch during the recent T20 World Cup, where he played a sensational unbeaten century against India in the semi-final, a knock that drew wide appreciation.
He was also part of the RCB squad last season, featuring in two matches and scoring 67 runs, including a fluent half-century at a strike rate of over 171.
RCB’s best XI vs GT
RCB are likely to stick close to their settled combination, with a potential tweak involving Bethell ahead of Shepherd depending on conditions and match strategy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood
Impact Player: Rasikh Salam Dar
