Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Gujarat Titans (GT) should be willing to consider a less conventional overseas-player setup for the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In his view, if Gujarat bowl first at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, they could even explore beginning their innings with just three overseas cricketers—an approach that might give them more flexibility depending on how the match unfolds. Bangar’s comments point to a tactical mindset ahead of a title decider where GT will be trying to erase the sting of their 92-run loss in Qualifier 1 earlier this week.
Bangar framed the idea as “slightly out-of-the-box thinking,” but he argued that it could pay off if conditions shift and Gujarat need to adjust their batting depth later in the game. He explained that if the match situation means GT do not necessarily need the full spell from their overseas spinner Rashid, they could retain the option to bring in another bat—specifically mentioning Glenn Phillips—as a way to add impact to the batting order. Bangar suggested that this kind of flexibility could matter if the final turns into a high-scoring contest where a chase in the range of 210 to 220 becomes the target.
While he expects Gujarat might ultimately stick with their usual combination, Bangar insisted that the management should at least debate every available route before the biggest match of the season. “I don’t think GT will go in that direction, but they should at least consider it,” he said, highlighting the importance of thorough planning for a final, even when the final XI may end up looking familiar.
Beyond team composition, Bangar also highlighted a specific matchup he thinks could influence the contest: left-arm spinner Sai Kishore versus RCB captain Rajat Patidar. He pointed out that Sai Kishore has shown success against Patidar, citing the way the bowler delivers balls outside Patidar’s primary hitting zone. Bangar also noted that Sai Kishore’s control—especially against left-handed batters—could be a useful weapon in the final, where small edges in execution often decide momentum swings.
Another key battle Bangar expects to loom large is between Gujarat captain Shubman Gill and experienced RCB fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He described Gill’s role as central to Gujarat’s campaign, saying the opener has led decisively as the Titans steadied their campaign after a tough start and then pushed into the final among the league’s top sides. For the final, however, Bangar’s advice to Gill was clear: instead of trying to interfere with Bhuvneshwar’s rhythm, batters should trust their own technique.
Bangar cautioned that a batter should not give Bhuvneshwar too much “information” by standing outside the crease or committing to aggressive movement toward the bowler. He warned that if the seamer senses the batter dancing down the track, Bhuvneshwar can slot in a short ball that comes at an awkward moment. Bangar also underlined that Bhuvneshwar can alter length and, rather than relying purely on swing, can make the ball seam around to disrupt timing.
In that context, Bangar advised Gill to play from the crease, let the ball come into the hitting area, and make the shot decision as late as possible. With that approach, he believes Gujarat can better handle the sharper edges of Bhuvneshwar’s bowling rather than trying to force the contest early.
The final sets up a high-stakes storyline for both franchises: Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans will be aiming to lift the trophy for a second time in IPL history, while RCB look to become only the third team in tournament annals to successfully defend the title.
