Royal Challengers Bengaluru are predicted to beat Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31, 2026 (7:30 PM IST).
Vs
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
31 May 2026 07:30 PM
RCB are chasing back-to-back IPL titles – a feat only MI and CSK have achieved in IPL history. They demolished GT by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 just five days ago, with Rajat Patidar’s 93 off 33 producing the highest playoff score ever (254). GT took the longer route through Qualifier 2, beating RR to earn a second shot at the trophy.
The twist? This is GT’s home ground – the world’s largest cricket stadium where Gill averages 64 in 833 career IPL runs. The venue advantage could neutralise everything that happened in Dharamshala.
IPL 2026 Final: Complete Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, FINAL |
| Tournament | IPL 2026 (TATA Indian Premier League) |
| Date | Sunday, May 31, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Capacity | 132,000 (world’s largest cricket stadium) |
| Live Telecast | JioStar Network Channels |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App & Website |
RCB vs GT Season Record in IPL 2026
RCB lead 2-1 in IPL 2026 meetings. But GT’s one win came at this exact venue – Narendra Modi Stadium. That’s the most important stat heading into tonight.
| Match | Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Stage | April 24 | RCB won by 5 wkts (chased 206) | Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru |
| League Stage | April 30 | GT won by 4 wkts (chased 156) | NMS, Ahmedabad |
| Qualifier 1 | May 27 | RCB won by 92 runs (254 vs 200) | HPCA, Dharamshala |
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report for IPL 2026 Final
The 76m straight boundary is the key battleground. At Dharamshala, RCB hit sixes at will. At NMS, those same shots find fielders. This changes the entire dynamic.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Boundaries | 76m straight, 70m square (LARGEST in IPL) |
| Surface | Flat, true bounce, batting-friendly but big boundaries suppress sixes |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | ~195 |
| Key Factor | 76m straight boundary turns sixes into catches |
| Spin | Rashid Khan has 18 career wickets here |
| Gill’s NMS Record | 833 runs from 16 matches, avg 64.07 |
| Dew Factor | Moderate in 2nd innings |
Ahmedabad Weather Forecast for IPL 2026 Final
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature (Match Time) | 34–40°C |
| Humidity | 25–35% |
| Rain Chance | 0% |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze |
| Dew Factor | Moderate from 2nd innings |
| Conditions | Clear skies, hot evening |
No rain risk. A full 40-over contest is guaranteed for the biggest match of the season.
IPL 2026 Final Toss Prediction
At NMS, bat-first has won 56 of 102 T20 matches (54.9%). With moderate dew expected, batting first is marginally preferred – set a total and defend it.
Toss Prediction: Bat first. Set a target on a big ground and let your bowlers defend.
RCB vs GT Probable Playing XIs for IPL 2026 Final
Here are the Playing XI of both Teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Opener |
| 2 | Venkatesh Iyer / Phil Salt | Opener |
| 3 | Devdutt Padikkal | Top Order |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (C) | Middle Order |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Middle Order |
| 6 | Tim David | Finisher |
| 7 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Jacob Duffy / Romario Shepherd | Pace All-rounder |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Josh Hazlewood | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Rasikh Salam Dar | Fast Bowler |
Gujarat Titans
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shubman Gill (C) | Opener |
| 2 | Sai Sudharsan | Opener |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (WK) | Middle Order |
| 4 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 5 | Jason Holder | All-rounder |
| 6 | Nishant Sindhu / Glenn Phillips | Middle Order |
| 7 | Rashid Khan | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Kulwant Khejroliya | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Kagiso Rabada | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Mohammed Siraj | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Prasidh Krishna | Fast Bowler |
Why RCB Will Win the IPL 2026 Final
Beat GT by 92 Runs 5 Days Ago
The Qualifier 1 scoreline (254 vs 200) isn’t a fluke. RCB’s batting depth and bowling quality are simply superior to GT’s.
4-Day Rest Advantage
RCB qualified directly to the Final. GT played 3 knockout matches in 5 days. Fatigue – particularly for Rabada, Siraj, and Prasidh – is a genuine concern.
Bhuvi’s 24+ Wickets
The Purple Cap holder bowling in the Final. His swing dismissed both GT openers in the Q1 meeting.
Defending Champions Know How to Win Finals
RCB won IPL 2025. Kohli, Patidar, Hazlewood, and Tim David have all performed in title-deciding matches. That experience is priceless.
Patidar’s Playoff Form Is Historic
93 off 33 – the fastest 90+ in IPL history. A captain producing that in Qualifier 1 carries that energy into the Final.
Why GT Could Win at Their Home Ground
Gill’s 833 Runs at NMS (Avg 64)
This is Gill’s fortress. No batter in IPL history has a better record at this specific venue. In a Final at his home ground, Gill’s motivation is through the roof.
76m Boundaries Neutralise RCB’s Power Game
At Dharamshala, RCB’s sixes flew over the ropes. At NMS, those same shots become catches. The venue change shifts the balance.
Rashid Khan’s 18 Career Wickets at NMS
On bigger boundaries, Rashid’s overs become virtually unscoreable. If he bowls a spell of 1/20 in 4 overs, GT’s chances multiply.
Resilience of Coming Through Qualifier 2
Bouncing back from a 92-run loss to win Qualifier 2 shows champion mentality. GT aren’t a team that stays down.
132,000 Fans Behind Them
Playing an IPL Final at the world’s largest cricket stadium in front of your home crowd. That atmosphere is an unquantifiable advantage.
RCB vs GT Final Betting Odds and Win Probability
| Team | Win Probability | Key Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 55–60% | Beat GT by 92 runs, Bhuvi 24 wkts, 4-day rest, defending champions |
| Gujarat Titans | 40–45% | NMS home ground, Gill avg 64 here, 76m boundaries suit GT, Rashid 18 wkts at venue |
IPL 2026 Final Prediction: Who Will Win?
Predicted Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| Factor | RCB Edge | GT Edge |
|---|---|---|
| This Season H2H | 2-1 (incl. 92-run Q1 win) | Won at NMS in league stage |
| Route to Final | Direct (Qualifier 1 win, 4-day rest) | Longer route (3 matches in 5 days) |
| Top Batter | Kohli 557 runs (460 vs GT at avg 77) | Gill 833 runs at NMS avg 64, Sudharsan 554+ |
| Captain | Patidar (93 off 33 in Q1 – fastest 90+ in IPL) | Gill (needs a defining knock) |
| Bowling | Bhuvi 24+ wkts (Purple Cap) + Hazlewood | Rabada + Rashid (18 at NMS) + Siraj |
| Home Advantage | Away | NMS is GT’s HOME – 132,000 fans, 76m boundaries |
| Boundary Factor | Power game suppressed at NMS | 76m straight suits GT’s bowling more than RCB’s batting |
| Experience | Won IPL 2025 (defending champions) | Won IPL 2022 (inaugural season) |
| Fatigue | Fresh (4-day break) | 3 knockouts in 5 days (pace bowlers fatigued) |
RCB’s superior form (92-run Q1 win), 4-day rest advantage, and the Purple Cap holder bowling on any surface make them favourites.
GT’s home ground advantage (Gill avg 64, 132,000 fans, 76m boundaries) and Rashid’s NMS record keep this closer than the Q1 scoreline suggests.
The match hinges on two battles: Bhuvi vs Gill/Sudharsan in the powerplay and Rashid vs Kohli/Patidar in the middle overs. The team that wins both battles wins the trophy.
Predicted Margin: RCB to win by 15–25 runs (if batting first) or 4–5 wickets (if chasing). But GT’s home crowd could make this the closest Final in years.
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Final Verdict
The IPL 2026 Final is a clash between the defending champions and a team playing at their home fortress in the world’s largest cricket stadium.
RCB’s all-round superiority – Patidar’s historic form, Kohli’s 557 runs, Bhuvi’s Purple Cap – makes them favourites. They beat GT by 92 runs just five days ago and have had 4 days to rest and prepare.
GT counter with Gill’s extraordinary NMS record (833 runs, avg 64), Rashid’s 18 wickets at this venue, and 132,000 fans willing them to victory. The longer boundaries also shift the balance toward GT’s bowling strength.
Expect a tactical, nerve-wracking Final that goes deep into the death overs, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru likely to lift the IPL trophy for the second consecutive year and etch their names alongside CSK and MI as back-to-back champions.
