Rajasthan Royals’ supporters were left devastated after their qualifier defeat: they lost by seven wickets to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on Friday night, ending the hopes of seeing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in his maiden IPL final. The focus now shifts to Sunday’s summit match, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will lock horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium in a contest expected to showcase two of IPL 2026’s most dependable sides.
Key takeaways
- Rajasthan Royals were beaten in Qualifier 2 by Gujarat Titans by seven wickets at New Chandigarh.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
- RCB are defending champions and are aiming for a second straight title, which would be only the third repeat success after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
- Gujarat’s top-order of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan has produced 700-plus runs apiece in the season, and they have eight century stands for the opening wicket.
- The IPL final has a reserve day; if play is washed out on the first day, it resumes the next day from where it stopped.
- RCB finished first in the league table with 18 points, while Gujarat Titans also ended on 18 points, separated only by net run rate.
RCB chase a second consecutive title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter the final as defending champions, still searching for a clean run at the biggest stage despite years of near misses. The franchise will be making its fifth appearance in an IPL final, and the journey has carried plenty of heartbreak along the way.
For long stretches, RCB were widely viewed as a side brimming with talent but lacking the final trophy. That storyline changed in 2025, when they lifted their maiden IPL title—setting up the chance to turn that breakthrough into a dynasty-building moment in 2026.
Gujarat’s batting partnership: Gill and Sudharsan
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are central to Gujarat Titans’ rise, not just for the volume of runs but for how they have reshaped the way T20 partnerships function at the top. With another season of 700-plus runs each, the opening duo has moved into the upper tier of batting excellence in IPL history, challenging standards previously set by some of the format’s most decorated names.
Their output has been defined by consistency and a strong understanding of when to accelerate and when to consolidate. In collective terms, they have registered eight century partnerships for the opening wicket — the joint-most in men’s T20 cricket, matched by Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Together, Gill and Sudharsan have compiled 2,944 IPL runs as a pair, already the second-highest partnership total in tournament history. Only the 3,123 runs between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers across 2011 to 2020 stand ahead of them.
What makes their rise even more striking is the timeline: they have built this partnership record since IPL 2022, the season in which Sudharsan was still settling into life with Gujarat in their debut campaign. Individually, the numbers match the storyline. After Sudharsan won the Orange Cap with 759 runs last year and Gill finished fourth with 650, both have again dominated the charts in 2026—Gill with 722 and Sudharsan with 710, with only Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scoring more.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 36: the fitness blueprint
While IPL 2026 has drawn attention to the brilliance of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, another narrative has been unfolding at the other end of the age spectrum. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, at 36, continues to produce the discipline and control that have defined his career for more than a decade.
That longevity naturally raises the question of how a pace bowler keeps delivering at the highest level in the IPL for so long. The answer, as framed by the people working directly with him, points to careful planning and a methodical approach to conditioning—much of it done away from public view.
In an interaction with Bhuvneshwar’s personal Strength and Conditioning Coach, Surya Pratap Yadav—who has worked extensively on his fitness—when asked how Bhuvi still bowls with the same intent and rhythm despite being 36, the coach pointed toward a transformation that has taken place away from the spotlight.
What if the final is affected by rain?
With a match of this magnitude, fans will hope for uninterrupted action between two sides that have looked among the best all season. Still, the question remains: what happens if rain interrupts or wipes out the IPL 2026 final between RCB and Gujarat?
The tournament structure offers protection through a reserve day. If the game cannot be completed on Day 1 because of rain or another interruption, the contest will resume on the next day from the point where it was halted on Sunday.
While it is considered unlikely that the final cannot be completed even on the reserve day, the procedure provides clarity if such a scenario ever occurs. In that unlikely event, RCB would be crowned champions because they finished higher in the league stage standings.
That league setup matters for the final equation. Rajat Patidar’s team topped the table with 18 points from 14 matches, posting a net run rate of +0.783. Gujarat Titans also finished on 18 points from 14 games, with their NRR at +0.695—only the run-rate difference separating the two.
The weather picture for Ahmedabad is expected to be favourable, with minimal signs of disruption. The forecast suggests only a 2% chance of precipitation on Sunday evening, alongside conditions expected to be sunny for most of the day.
RCB’s route to the summit clash
Under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed the league phase at the top of the standings. They recorded nine wins from their 14 matches, turning their campaign into a steady march toward the final.
Key wins included victories over Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans. They also secured direct qualification for the final with a dominant win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.
RCB’s batting once again revolved around Virat Kohli, who amassed 600 runs in 15 matches. Patidar, acting as captain, added 486 runs and provided leadership that helped guide the side through key moments.
With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearheaded Bengaluru’s pace attack, taking 26 wickets. Another standout was Rasikh Salam, who emerged as one of the tournament’s bright prospects with 16 wickets from 11 matches.
Gujarat Titans’ momentum into the final
Gujarat Titans arrive with their own momentum after the playoffs. Having finished among the top two during the league stage, they were pushed hard in the knockout sequence.
After suffering defeat in Qualifier 1, they bounced back in Qualifier 2 by defeating Rajasthan Royals and then booked their place in the title match.
RCB, though, bring confidence from the way they handled Gujarat earlier in the playoffs, particularly their dominant win in Qualifier 1. At the same time, AB de Villiers’ concerns underline the challenge Gujarat’s bowling unit can present on home turf—setting the scene for a final likely to be tense, strategic, and entertaining.
AB de Villiers raises the bowling concern
Even with RCB’s strong performance in Qualifier 1, AB de Villiers believes the defending champions still have plenty to think about ahead of the final. He acknowledged that RCB’s 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 was comprehensive, but he also admitted he is uneasy about the challenge Gill’s side can bring—especially with the bowling attack.
De Villiers said he is nervous, pointing out that Gujarat has plenty to feel confident about when playing in Ahmedabad. He referenced the way Gujarat managed to come out on top in their recent win, even with the attention surrounding the Suryavanshi storyline, and suggested that the best bowling units often decide matches.
He added that the final could be a high-pressure, edge-of-the-seat affair, and hoped it becomes a close contest that fans around the world can enjoy.
RCB’s expectations and squad details
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are entering the final as favourites, largely because of their commanding 92-run triumph over Gujarat in Qualifier 1. Throughout the season, the defending champions have shown they can consistently find ways to win, and they are now one step away from joining Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the only teams to defend an IPL title successfully.
That said, Gujarat Titans have repeatedly demonstrated resilience under pressure and have the quality required to upset the odds. With two of the strongest sides in the tournament set to meet, the IPL 2026 final is shaping up as a fitting conclusion to a memorable campaign.
One key area Gujarat will monitor closely is the fitness of Mohammed Siraj. The pacer looked to be dealing with a shoulder problem during Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals and required treatment during the match. While he completed his spell, Gujarat will be hoping any injury concerns are minor ahead of the final.
Bowling battles and the top-order gameplan
If RCB hold the edge with the bat, Gujarat Titans can still build a strong case through their bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has led Bengaluru’s pace unit effectively with 26 wickets, while Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya have supported the attack well. Their ability to take wickets in different phases—while applying pressure—has been central to RCB reaching the final.
Gujarat’s bowling attack is equally credible. Kagiso Rabada leads the Purple Cap race with 28 wickets, and Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder have formed a well-rounded group. Rabada and Siraj in particular have been effective at building pressure with dot balls and hard lengths, often limiting batters’ ability to play freely.
Gujarat’s route to the final has also been shaped by top-order dominance. Their success has been driven by how consistently Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have performed. Rather than taking the most aggressive powerplay route every time, Gujarat’s top order prefers a measured approach—establishing the innings early and then accelerating later.
That plan has worked because their leading trio has been in outstanding form. Gill has made 722 runs, Sudharsan has scored 710, and Buttler has contributed more than 500 runs. With those key players able to carry responsibility during difficult phases, Gujarat have navigated multiple challenging situations.
Playing in Ahmedabad also gives Gujarat an extra advantage. They have won five of their seven matches in the city this season, adding confidence to their home campaign.
RCB’s attacking identity under Patidar’s calm leadership
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting has stood out for its explosiveness. Their approach is simple: attack early and keep forcing opponents onto the back foot. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer have all bought into that mindset, helping RCB put up imposing totals regularly.
Regardless of venue or opposition, Bengaluru have stayed committed to aggressive cricket, which has made them dangerous across the competition. A major ingredient behind their success has been Patidar’s captaincy style. Instead of leaning heavily on animated tactics, Patidar has offered stability and clarity, creating a framework where experienced players and younger squad members can flourish in roles that suit them.
Final preview: contrasting styles, same intensity
The IPL 2026 final is poised as a blockbuster matchup as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans. RCB will be looking to chase a historic second successive championship, while Gujarat Titans will aim to add a second IPL crown to their name after winning in 2022.
The clash brings together two different team identities. RCB have thrived on aggression and relentless intent across the season, while Gujarat Titans have built their success on structure, discipline, and the kind of consistency that helps teams reach the business end of the tournament.
Live coverage begins: RCB vs GT
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Head-to-head, RCB hold a slight advantage with five wins to Gujarat’s four. In Ahmedabad, however, the rivalry is level at 1-1.
There has also been an interesting pattern across their meetings: eight of their nine encounters have been won by the team batting second. The only exception has been RCB’s win in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala.
SQUAD
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Rajat Patidar (captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Tim David
- Jacob Bethell
- Romario Shepherd
- Josh Hazlewood
- Nuwan Thushara
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Jitesh Sharma
- Krunal Pandya
- Rasikh Dar
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Jordan Cox
- Suyash Sharma
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Swapnil Singh
- Jacob Duffy
- Kanishk Chouhan
- Abhinandan Singh
- Mangesh Yadav
- Phil Salt
- Satvik Deswal
- Vicky Ostwal
- Vihaan Malhotra
Gujarat Titans
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Shahrukh Khan
- Anuj Rawat
- Jos Buttler
- Kumar Kushagra
- Tom Banton
- Glenn Phillips
- Jason Holder
- Nishant Sindhu
- Rahul Tewatia
- Washington Sundar
- Sai Kishore
- Jayant Yadav
- Arshad Khan
- Shahrukh Khan
- Manav Suthar
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammed Siraj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Prasidh Krishna
- Ishant Sharma
- Gurnoor Brar
- Ashok Sharma
- Luke Wood
- Prithvi Raj Yarra
