IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs GT - A Clash of Titans Awaits
Excitement Builds for IPL 2026 Final
Rajeev Shukla, the Vice-President of BCCI and a Congress MP, has characterized the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) as an intense showdown. In a statement to the media prior to the match, Shukla remarked, "Today marks the final match of IPL, and as we enter this concluding phase, the team that performs better will emerge victorious... it's set to be a thrilling contest with both teams showcasing their strengths... fans can expect an exceptional match today..."
Defending Champions RCB Face Tough Challenge
The reigning champions, RCB, will encounter a significant challenge against a strong Gujarat lineup in the Indian title match scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad. RCB's batting prowess will be put to the test by the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj during the powerplay. Meanwhile, GT's Jason Holder, often overlooked, could play a crucial role against RCB's top players. According to ESPNCricinfo, GT boasts the best bowling strike rate of 16 among all teams this season, which improves to an impressive 13.5 at Ahmedabad. Their economy rate also reflects this strength, dropping from 9.49 to 8.72 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, making them formidable contenders alongside RCB.
Key Matchups to Watch
Here are some thrilling matchups to keep an eye on.
Virat Kohli vs. Rabada and Holder
Virat Kohli has faced Jason Holder four times in ten innings, yet maintains a strike rate exceeding 184 against him. Rabada presents another challenge, having dismissed Kohli five times in 17 innings, while Kohli strikes at nearly 144 against him.
Rashid Khan vs. Devdutt Padikkal
GT's spinner Rashid Khan could pose a threat to Padikkal, who has been in fine form this season with 463 runs in 15 innings, including three fifties. Rashid has dismissed Padikkal five times in nine innings, with Padikkal managing a strike rate just above 90 against him.
Patidar: A Potential Game-Changer Against Rashid
Rashid Khan is renowned as one of the top T20 spinners, but RCB's Rajat Patidar has shown remarkable prowess against him, scoring 34 runs off 16 balls at a strike rate exceeding 212, including four sixes.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs. GT's Top Order
GT's dependable top three—Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—have struggled against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He has dismissed Gill six times out of 14 encounters, with Gill striking at just over 101. Buttler has fallen to Bhuvneshwar nine times in 21 innings, with a strike rate of just over 110. Sudharsan has faced Bhuvneshwar more cautiously, with only one dismissal in seven innings at a modest strike rate of over 115.
Squads for the Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox, Philip Salt, Richard Gleeson, Swapnil Singh, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal.
Gujarat Titans Squad: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Luke Wood, Connor Esterhuizen, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Ashok Sharma.