The IPL 2025 season will witness a thrilling encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 14. Both sides boast some of the best players, and there are a couple of key player contests that are certain to attract eyeballs. Let's have a closer look at four crucial matchups to watch for in this showdown. Top 4 Key Player Battles to Watch in RCB vs GT Sno Players 1 Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada 2 Phil Salt vs Mohammed Siraj 3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Jos Buttler 4 Josh Hazlewood vs Shubman Gill Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2019 12 13 1 5 1 0 92.3 12.0 2020 8 7 1 2 1 0 114.3 8.0 2021 5 2 0 0 1 0 250.0 - 2022 2 2 1 1 0 0 100.0 2.0 2024 9 8 0 3 1 0 112.5 - Total 36 32 3 11 4 0 112.5 12.0 Virat Kohli has been one of the top batsmen in IPL history, and facing Kagiso Rabada will be an intriguing battle. Rabada’s pace and precision can trouble even the best of batsmen, and Kohli will have to be at his best to handle him. Looking at Kohli’s recent performances, in 2019 he scored 12 runs off 13 balls, with a strike rate of 92.3. In 2020, he scored 8 runs off 7 balls at a strike rate of 114.3. Though his 2021 and 2022 seasons were subdued with low scores, Kohli regained form in 2024 with 9 runs off 8 balls. Rabada will try to strike early, but if Kohli settles down, he can take the game away in no time. Also Read | 'I was indicating Marcus Stoinis': Arshdeep Singh reveals secret behind viral reel Phil Salt vs Mohammed Siraj Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2023 18 6 0 1 1 2 300.0 - 2024 29 12 1 4 2 3 241.7 29.0 Total 47 18 1 5 3 5 261.1 47.0 Phil Salt's attacking batting makes him a threat, particularly in the powerplay overs. He will face Mohammed Siraj, who is capable of swinging the ball and picking up early wickets. Phil Salt was in fine touch in 2023 and scored 18 runs off a mere 6 balls at a strike rate of 300.0. He followed it up in 2024 with 29 runs off 12 balls, at a strike rate of 241.7. Siraj, on the other hand, has been steady in picking wickets early in the innings, and his speed may trouble Salt's aggressive style of play. The result of this contest will be decisive for both teams, as an early wicket may set the tone for the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Jos Buttler Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2017 9 8 0 5 2 0 112.5 - 2018 2 2 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2019 5 6 0 4 1 0 83.3 - 2021 19 13 0 4 3 0 146.2 - 2022 1 8 0 7 0 0 12.5 - 2023 25 15 1 5 3 1 166.7 25.0 2024 0 1 1 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 Total 61 53 2 26 9 1 115.1 30.5 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a proven bowler with the skill to swing the ball, is always dangerous for any batsman at the top order. Jos Buttler, one of the most explosive T20 batsmen, would be interested in facing Bhuvneshwar's talent. Buttler has been performing well over the years, but Bhuvneshwar can get him out early with his pinpoint bowling. In 2023, Buttler took 25 runs off 15 balls, while Bhuvneshwar had a good 2023 year, conceding 25 runs off 15 balls, at a strike rate of 166.7. Bhuvneshwar's experience in mixing up his deliveries can be a deciding factor in controlling Buttler's big hits. Also Read | Rishabh Pant fails again! Memes overloaded on X mocking his 27 crore Josh Hazlewood vs Shubman Gill Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2021 9 6 0 0 1 0 150.0 - 2022 3 6 1 3 0 0 50.0 3.0 Total 12 12 1 3 1 0 100.0 12.0 Josh Hazlewood, the accurate and disciplined bowler, will test the skills of Shubman Gill, GT's top batsman. Hazlewood impressed in 2021 with the numbers of 9 runs off 6 balls. Though his strike rate wasn't the best, his ability to keep the batsman on his toes was there for everyone to see. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, has been improving each season with his latest effort in 2023 reading 25 runs off 15 balls, but Hazlewood's precision might put Gill out if he fails to get into his rhythm. This fight will be decisive since both teams are able to transform the game with their performances.