Ravichandran Ashwin sparked a bold talking point on social media immediately after Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Patidar tossed the coin and Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill ended up with the wrong call, meaning the toss outcome tilted in RCB’s direction. In response, Ashwin posted on X suggesting the toss result had brought RCB substantially closer to another title defence.
Quick facts
- Match: IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad (Sunday).
- Toss won by: Rajat Patidar (RCB), who opted to bowl first.
- Gill’s toss result: Gujarat Titans got the wrong call.
- Ashwin’s claim: He said the toss win brings RCB 30% closer to a second title defence.
- RCB’s status: Defending champions this season after winning their first IPL trophy in 2025.
- RCB XI: Unchanged from the previous match.
- GT XI change: Arshad Khan included for Sai Kishore.
Ashwin’s message on X said, in effect, that “winning the toss” had the men in red 30 percent nearer to defending their crown, and he posed a question to fans about how they were feeling regarding RCB’s “number 2” bid.
The build-up also highlighted RCB’s campaign context: they are defending their title this season, having lifted their maiden IPL trophy in 2025.
Team news and captain quotes
For the final, RCB stuck with the same playing group that appeared in the previous match. Gujarat Titans, however, made one swap—left-arm pacer Arshad Khan came into the XI in place of left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore.
Speaking right after the toss, Patidar said they would bowl first, calling the pitch a “pretty good wicket.” He added that the ball should come onto the bat, and while he felt it might not alter much across the full 40 overs, RCB would aim to remove the batters early.
Patidar also referenced the timing and pressure of the moment, mentioning the memories from last year while stressing that this season is 2026 and that the team’s task is to do their best to win the match.
Gill, who would have preferred to bat first if given the choice, described the surface as a good wicket for a final and said he was hoping Gujarat could post runs and pressure RCB. He pointed out that it has been the same wicket they have faced multiple times, and while he expected some movement for fast bowlers in the opening couple of overs, he felt conditions would settle after that.
Gill finished by saying the side is ready, that they are feeling fresh, and that playing at one of the biggest stadiums in the world is always a privilege. He underlined the only change for GT as well—Arshad Khan returning for Sai Kishore.
