Ahmedabad is set for a bright, sunny Sunday, but the local met department has flagged a yellow alert for parts of the state. The warning points to strong winds and the possibility of thunderstorms on the day of the IPL 2026 final, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Gujarat Titans (GT) at home.
Weather outlook and what it could mean for the final
The city has been battling a heatwave, with temperatures climbing to 43.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday and prompting severe heatwave warnings. While proper rainfall is expected to arrive in and around Ahmedabad on June 1, there is still a chance of weather disruptions during Sunday’s showpiece match.
The IPL keeps a reserve day in place in case conditions force changes to the schedule. For this final, Monday is expected to be wetter, according to the forecast, meaning the backup plan could become relevant if thunderstorms intensify.
Why the reserve day matters: lessons from 2023
There is recent precedent for weather influencing an IPL final in Ahmedabad. In 2023, the title match featuring GT and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had to be shifted to a reserve day after thunderstorms triggered flooding in parts of the city on the night of the final.
Travel delays and the competition’s build-up
Rain and thunderstorms also played a role in GT’s return to Ahmedabad after their victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 on Friday. The team reached the city close to 11pm on Saturday night, with conditions in north-western India forcing temporary runway closures in Chandigarh—where their flight departed from—leading to delays or diversions for multiple flights.
Final target: the second title for both franchises
With the weather uncertainty adding extra pressure, both teams will be focused on ending the night with their second IPL championship. GT, who lifted the trophy in 2022, have previously reached two finals, while RCB secured their title in their fourth attempt last year in Ahmedabad—over Punjab Kings (PBKS)—to end an 18-year wait for silverware.
