Royal Challengers Bengaluru may have looked in complete control when they beat Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, but AB de Villiers insists the defending champions cannot afford to underestimate their opponents as they prepare for Sunday’s IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. RCB and Gujarat Titans will meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium with both franchises chasing a second league title, though their paths to the moment differ: Bengaluru are attempting to become just the third team to successfully defend the trophy, while Gujarat are aiming to add another crown to the one they lifted in 2022.
Even after RCB’s emphatic 92-run victory in Qualifier 1, de Villiers admitted he feels uneasy about what Shubman Gill’s side can bring in a final, with particular emphasis on their bowling. “So I’m nervous,” the former RCB star said. He pointed to Gujarat’s ability to produce under pressure, noting that despite the presence of the Suryavanshi factor, they still found a way to win and that it reinforces a simple truth—strong bowling attacks tend to be the difference in the end. “I’m worried about that bowling attack in the final,” de Villiers added, while also suggesting the contest could swing at crucial moments. “I think it’s going to be edge of the seat stuff and a fantastic final and hopefully a close one,” he said, adding that he hopes fans across the world enjoy the spectacle.
RCB’s route to the championship match has been built on consistency and standout performances. Led by Rajat Patidar, the defending champions finished first in the points table, winning nine of their 14 league games. Their campaign included high-profile wins over Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans, before they underlined their intent by securing direct qualification with a comprehensive win against GT in Qualifier 1.
With the bat, Virat Kohli has once again set the tone, accumulating 600 runs across 15 matches. Patidar, operating at the centre of the batting order, has been equally influential, scoring 486 runs and providing leadership throughout the season. On the bowling front, RCB have relied on experience as well as emergence. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has led the pace attack with 26 wickets, while Rasikh Salam has impressed as one of the tournament’s breakthroughs, taking 16 wickets in 11 matches.
Gujarat Titans, though, arrive in the final with their own momentum and a clear sense of momentum after setbacks. After finishing among the top two in the league stage, they responded to their Qualifier 1 loss by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, which sealed their place in the title showdown. That ability to bounce back quickly only adds to the intrigue against a Bengaluru unit that comes in on the back of a dominant playoff performance.
For De Villiers, the key takeaway is that home conditions and prior results won’t automatically decide the final—Gujarat’s bowling remains the central threat. With two of the season’s strongest teams set to clash for the trophy, the stage is set for a gripping IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, where Bengaluru’s title defence will be tested by the kind of bowling that can change games in the final overs and at the moments that matter most.
