HIGHLIGHTS
SIX to finish off the proceedings and RCB have defended the title
After a bit of a confusion, the replay shows that some part of the ball was touching the ground and Kohli is not out
That was in the air but away from the fielder and Kohli gets to a fifty with a pull shot
Now, Virat Kohli calls for the physio
After a brisk start, RCB have lost a few wickets in the process. But Kohli is still there at the crease
Finally a wicket for GT. Siraj has his first. Venky takes the aerial route, doesn’t quote time it and is caught at mid on
After a slow start in the first over, RCB have been lethal with the bat in the chase
Now Virat Kohli gets going, he flicks one back for a boundary
A boundary over covers and now a MAXIMUM over mid wicket, Venkatesh Iyer opens up his arms
Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer out in the middle as RCB need 156 to defend their IPL title
Regular wickets didn’t let Gujarat Titans take upperhand in the innings and they have been restricted to 155/8 in 20 overs
Another one bites the dust. Rahul Tewatia skies that one from Rasikh and is caught by Rajat Patidar in the circle
Short one from Josh Hazlewood as he has been cramped for room, top edges that and is caught at short fine leg by Rasikh Salam
Arshad Khan is getting a move on for GT now. He is hitting some big ones
Another one goes and that’s a big one. Jos Buttler DEPARTS. He comes down the track but Krunal bowls that way outside off and Jitesh does the rest behind the stumps
Half the overs done and GT are still searching for runs
RCB bowling unit has been on song in the first six overs and have pushed Gujarat Titans on the backfoot with some wickets
The stage is set for the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and elected to field against Gujarat Titans.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar backed his bowling attack to make early inroads on what appears to be a good batting surface. Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill revealed that his side would have chosen to bat first as well, believing that scoreboard pressure could play a crucial role in a high-pressure final.
Interestingly, Gujarat Titans have enjoyed tremendous success when batting first at home since 2025, registering victories over Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad (twice) and Chennai Super Kings. They will look to continue that trend in the biggest game of the season.
For RCB, captain Rajat Patidar continues his impressive record at the toss. In 13 IPL matches as captain, Patidar has now won the toss 11 times.
Another remarkable statistic highlights RCB’s consistency this season. The franchise has used only 16 players throughout IPL 2026, making them one of the few teams in league history to maintain such stability. Only Chennai Super Kings (2015) and Mumbai Indians (2018 and 2020) have used fewer players in a season.
Ahead of the final, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar stressed the importance of sticking to the basics rather than treating the summit clash differently.
“We know it’s a final, but we haven’t talked about doing anything different. The focus remains on the same simple things that have worked for us throughout the tournament,” Bhuvneshwar said.
The experienced seamer also suggested that home conditions could bring additional pressure on Gujarat Titans.
“It’s their home ground and they know the conditions well. But finals are different. It’s a one-off game and pressure affects everyone.”
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans vice-captain Jos Buttler urged the younger players to embrace the occasion rather than fear it.
“Playing finals and competing for trophies is what every cricketer dreams about. There will be pressure, but that’s exactly where we all want to be,” Buttler said.
Teams
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar
Impact Subs
GT: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore
RCB: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox
With Virat Kohli chasing a maiden IPL title, Rajat Patidar aiming to defend RCB’s crown, and Shubman Gill leading Gujarat Titans in front of a home crowd, all eyes are now on Ahmedabad for what promises to be a blockbuster IPL 2026 final.
