The IPL 2026 final between the Gujarat Titans and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set for less than a day’s time, yet the Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, have not arrived in Ahmedabad. Unsettled weather has pushed back their travel schedule, leaving the team with a narrow window to settle in and prepare for the summit contest.
Titans’ delayed arrival in Ahmedabad
- Stormy conditions have disrupted the Gujarat Titans’ journey to the venue city, delaying their entry into Ahmedabad.
- The Titans were originally expected to leave Chandigarh on Saturday afternoon aboard a charter flight.
- Rain across north-western India—particularly around Punjab—held up multiple flights, affecting the team’s planned movement.
- Airport officials were not able to grant take-off clearance, meaning the Titans will only land in Ahmedabad after 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 30.
- After landing, the squad will head to its hotel in Gandhinagar, which is roughly half an hour away from the airport.
- This scenario marks the first occasion in IPL history where a team has been forced to travel a full day before the final.
- The wider context for the schedule change traces back to the BCCI’s decision to stage the playoffs across three different venues.
Meanwhile, the other finalists have been in Ahmedabad for longer. Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrived in the city on Wednesday, following their Qualifier 1 win in Dharamsala the day before. Led by Rajat Patidar, the franchise has also completed two strong training sessions as they gear up for their second consecutive IPL final.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday about the timing of RCB’s preparations, Patidar explained that having additional time after Qualifier 1 helped the group recover. He said the extra hours offer some benefit, while stressing that the Titans are a formidable side as well.
Rajat Patidar on preparation and the turnaround
“After Qualifier 1, we had enough time to rest and recover,” Patidar said. “At the same time, GT are coming straight from Qualifier 2.” He added that any advantage is limited because both teams have been playing high-quality cricket: “There is some sort of advantage, but not a huge one because both teams are very good and have played excellent cricket.”
GT’s path to the final
For the Gujarat Titans, this will be their third appearance in an IPL final. By contrast, Ahmedabad is set to host the championship match for the fourth time.
The Titans booked their place by defeating the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday at Mullanpur. Shubman Gill played a central role, scoring 104 to guide GT in a chase of 215, setting up the final showdown against RCB.
Shubman Gill on staying mentally fresh
Ahead of the final, Gill spoke about how his approach to preparation keeps him mentally grounded. He described focusing on what he needs to do over the coming week, the next few weeks, and throughout the next stretch of cricket. He also emphasised controlling the controllables—both personally and as a unit.
“I think preparation is what keeps me mentally fresh, knowing what I need to do the next week, next couple of weeks or in the next series or next tournament, and preparing for that,” Gill said. “It’s about knowing the things that are in my control or knowing the things that I need to do well to be able to succeed, and what we need to do well as a team to be able to succeed is what I think keeps me mentally fit,” he added.
