RCB Opts to Bowl First in IPL 2026 Final Against Gujarat Titans

In the thrilling finale of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the toss and chose to field first against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Both teams are vying for their second title, with RCB's captain Rajat Patidar expressing confidence in their strategy. Meanwhile, Gujarat's Shubman Gill preferred to bat first, citing pitch conditions. The article provides insights into the captains' thoughts and the complete team lineups, setting the stage for an exciting match.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2026, 20:23 IST

Match Overview

In the IPL 2026 grand finale held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have won the toss and chosen to field first against the Gujarat Titans (GT). This exciting match marks a significant moment for both teams as they aim for their second IPL title.

Captains' Insights

RCB's captain, Rajat Patidar, expressed optimism about the team's performance, stating, "We'll bowl first. The wicket looks good and should remain consistent. We have to focus on the present and control what we can. Playing at this stadium always brings back great memories."

Conversely, Gujarat's captain, Shubman Gill, indicated a preference for batting first, citing the pitch conditions. He mentioned, "We would have batted first. This is our third match here, and there might be some movement for fast bowlers early on. We have one opportunity to seize. Arshad Khan replaces Sai Kishore in our lineup."

Team Lineups

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.

Gujarat Titans Impact Subs: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox.