Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is tipping Royal Challengers Bengaluru to go all the way in the IPL 2026 final, arguing that the defending champions are expected to lift the trophy again unless they end up hurting themselves with errors. Bengaluru’s path to the summit clash has been defined by consistency, finishing at the top of the league standings before defeating Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to earn a direct berth in the final. Now they will square off with GT once more at the Narendra Modi Stadium, a venue where the Titans have built a reputation for making things difficult for opponents during the season.
Speaking on Jio Hotstar, Ashwin highlighted the psychological and practical boost that comes with playing on home turf. He pointed out that GT’s dominance at their ground has turned it into a fortress, which he believes could provide them with an extra edge as the final approaches. At the same time, he stressed that Bengaluru’s mentality and execution are what will decide the outcome, saying that for RCB it essentially comes down to how they approach the match rather than whether they begin batting or fielding.
In Ashwin’s view, RCB are in the driver’s seat as favourites and their biggest challenge is self-control—avoiding any dip in intensity or attacking intent compared to what they have shown across the campaign. “For RCB, it doesn’t matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose,” he said, adding that Bengaluru must not allow the pressure of the occasion to cause them to retreat from the brand of cricket that has taken them deep into the tournament.
On the other side, Gujarat’s journey to the title match was shaped by a quick recovery after their earlier setback. Following their defeat in Qualifier 1, they bounced back strongly in Qualifier 2 by beating Rajasthan Royals to secure their place in the final. Led by Shubman Gill, the Titans have been among the most consistent sides throughout the season, and with the final being staged in Ahmedabad, they are also set to benefit from substantial home support.
Ashwin also underlined that the two finalists bring noticeably different styles into the contest, which could make for an intriguing tactical battle. He suggested that Bengaluru have been willing to carry a higher level of risk, and he singled out the presence of players such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya as examples of individuals who have been turning up the tempo when it matters. That willingness to push the game forward, in his assessment, is a key reason RCB have remained hard to stop.
Ultimately, Ashwin framed the matchup as a contest where only one factor truly separates Bengaluru from a second straight title: Gujarat’s familiarity with home conditions. He said that GT’s ground and comfort with those circumstances are the final element that could stand between RCB and successful title defence.
With that in mind, Bengaluru will be looking to become only the third franchise in IPL history to defend the championship successfully, while Gujarat Titans will be aiming to claim their second league title. The final promises to bring together the favourites’ attacking confidence and the challengers’ home-ground strength as both teams chase IPL 2026 glory.
