Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will field Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood, while Gujarat Titans (GT) rely on Shubman Gill, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan in the IPL 2026 Final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Currently, RCB enter as defending champions after demolishing GT by 92 runs in Qualifier 1, whereas GT fought their way through Qualifier 2 by beating RR on their third attempt at Mullanpur. Although RCB hold a 5-4 H2H lead and had 5 days of rest, GT play at their home ground tonight, where 132,000 fans at the world’s largest cricket stadium will create an atmosphere that could neutralize any advantage.
RCB Playing 11 Today
Because RCB demolished GT by 92 runs in Qualifier 1, they will retain the same winning combination. Accordingly, Virat Kohli (557 runs this season, avg 85+ vs GT in this rivalry) and Phil Salt / Venkatesh Iyer continue opening, since Kohli’s 92-run Qualifier 1 statement proved he saves his best for GT.
Furthermore, Devdutt Padikkal has been equally destructive alongside Kohli this season. Additionally, captain Rajat Patidar (337+ runs, SR 192) anchors the middle order, while Tim David provides death-overs power. Moreover, Jitesh Sharma keeps wickets and Krunal Pandya offers all-round balance.
On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the Purple Cap with 24 wickets, making him IPL 2026’s leading wicket-taker. Besides that, Josh Hazlewood (best figures 4/12 at Dharamsala) controls the death overs, while Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam add variety. However, RCB’s form guide reads LWWWL in their last five league games, and their 55-run loss to SRH in the final league match remains a concern.
RCB Predicted XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt / Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.
GT Playing 11 Today
Since GT survived the Qualifier 2 against RR to reach the Final, they carry battle-hardened momentum. Consequently, Sai Sudharsan (500+ runs, Orange Cap contender) and Shubman Gill (500+ runs) continue opening, since this duo has been the most prolific opening partnership in IPL 2026.
Besides that, Jos Buttler at No. 3 brings Finals experience (IPL 2022 Final), while Washington Sundar and Jason Holder add all-round balance. Additionally, Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia handle the death overs. Furthermore, GT recorded a 6-1 win-loss ratio in the second half of the league stage, which shows their second-half form has been the best in the tournament.
In terms of bowling, Kagiso Rabada (21 wickets, avg 20.04) leads GT’s pace attack and has troubled Kohli repeatedly this season. Moreover, Mohammed Siraj handles the new ball against his former franchise, while Rashid Khan controls the middle overs with leg-spin. However, GT’s 92-run Qualifier 1 loss to this same RCB side just five days ago will loom large psychologically, and the pressure of a home Final could be a double-edged sword.
GT Predicted XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
RCB Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma / Jacob Duffy
Since the Narendra Modi Stadium assists spin in the middle overs, Suyash Sharma becomes a natural impact option for RCB. Otherwise, Jacob Duffy adds extra pace on a surface that offers bounce. Because this is a Final, Patidar may prefer the extra bowling option to give himself flexibility across all phases of the game.
GT Impact Sub: Prasidh Krishna / Manav Suthar
Similarly, Prasidh Krishna continues as GT’s regular bowling impact sub, adding bounce and accuracy in the middle overs. Because GT’s home ground surface assists pace early and spin later, Prasidh’s ability to extract bounce complements Rabada perfectly, and therefore Gill gains a genuine five-bowler attack for the biggest game of the season.
Key Players to Watch in the Final
Firstly, the battle between Virat Kohli (557 runs, avg 85+ vs GT) and Kagiso Rabada (21 wickets, dismissed Kohli cheaply in GT’s reverse-fixture win) will be the headline duel of this Final. Similarly, Rashid Khan versus the RCB middle order promises a fascinating spin contest on a surface that grips as the match progresses.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | Opener | 557 runs; avg 85+ vs GT; 92-run statement in Q1; IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | Pacer | 24 wickets; Purple Cap holder; best new-ball bowler in IPL 2026 |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | Pace Spearhead | BBI 4/12; death-overs specialist; controls scoring under pressure |
| Rajat Patidar | RCB | Captain / Batter | 337+ runs; SR 192; scored 12 off 8 vs Rashid without dismissal |
| Shubman Gill | GT | Captain / Opener | 500+ runs; IPL 2026’s most consistent captain-batter; GT’s heartbeat |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | Opener | 500+ runs; Orange Cap contender; century vs RCB in M34 |
| Kagiso Rabada | GT | Pace Spearhead | 21 wickets; avg 20.04; dismissed Kohli cheaply; lethal at death |
In addition, Kohli averages over 85 against GT in this rivalry, the best of any RCB batter against this opposition, making him the most dangerous player on display in tonight’s Final.
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs GT
Across 9 completed IPL meetings, RCB hold a 5-4 lead over GT, with tonight’s Final serving as the 10th encounter Notably, RCB won the most recent meeting (Qualifier 1) by a massive 92 runs at Dharamsala, but GT won the reverse league fixture at Ahmedabad by 4 wickets just three weeks earlier.
| Category | RCB | GT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 9 | 9 |
| Wins | 5 | 4 |
| Qualifier 1 (2026) | Won by 92 runs | Lost by 92 runs |
| IPL 2026 League H2H | 1-1 (RCB won M34, GT won M42) | 1-1 |
| Record at Ahmedabad | 1 win (3 games) | 2 wins (3 games) |
| Key Stat | Kohli 557 runs (avg 85+ vs GT) | Sudharsan century vs RCB in M34 |
| IPL Finals Record | 1 title (2025 champion) | 1 title (2022 champion) |
Additionally, GT won 2 of 3 previous meetings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, including Gill’s century in 2023 and Sudharsan’s ton in 2026. However, RCB’s 92-run Q1 demolition just five days ago proves they have the weapons to dismantle GT regardless of venue. This Final is the ultimate tiebreaker.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the Narendra Modi Stadium pitch offers good bounce and pace, with the surface supporting batters in the early stages before assisting spinners in the middle overs. Furthermore, the average first-innings score at this venue in IPL 2026 has been around 195-200, making this a high-scoring venue that rewards aggressive batting.
Secondly, the Ahmedabad weather forecast shows extreme heat with a high of 40°C and zero chance of rain. Consequently, a full 40-over Final is guaranteed. Besides that, heavy dew will arrive during the second innings, making bowling at the death extremely difficult and giving the chasing side a clear advantage.
However, the team batting first has won some recent matches at this venue, creating a genuine toss dilemma. As a result, both captains will weigh the dew factor against the pitch’s early-innings behaviour, since the new ball moves off the surface with good pace and bounce in the first 4-5 overs.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter as slight favourites due to their 5-4 H2H lead, 5 days of rest, and the confidence from their 92-run Q1 demolition. Specifically, RCB’s bowling attack with Bhuvneshwar (24 wkts, Purple Cap) and Hazlewood (BBI 4/12) is the most balanced in IPL 2026, and Kohli’s 557 runs make him the most dangerous batter in this rivalry.
On the other hand, GT play at their home ground where 132,000 fans will create the loudest atmosphere in world cricket. Furthermore, GT’s 6-1 second-half record and their battle-hardened journey through Q2 mean they are a completely different team from the one RCB demolished five days ago. However, the 92-run Q1 loss will test GT’s mental resilience in the biggest game of their lives.
As for the toss, the captain winning the flip will likely bowl first to exploit the dew. Ultimately, this Final is a genuine 50-50 contest where RCB’s bowling quality meets GT’s home advantage and momentum. If forced to pick, RCB are slight favourites to defend their title, but GT at home in front of 132,000 fans have the X-factor to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in IPL history.
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Final Word
To sum up, the RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final is the perfect climax to the most dramatic IPL season ever. If Kohli delivers another Finals masterclass (557 runs this season, avg 85+ vs GT), then the defending champions lift back-to-back titles for the first time in their history.
Otherwise, Gill’s captaincy, Sudharsan’s consistency, and Rabada’s pace at the world’s largest cricket stadium could hand GT their second IPL crown. Either way, 132,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium will witness a Final worthy of the greatest T20 league on earth. This is what IPL dreams look like.
