Gujarat Titans Struggle in IPL 2026 Final Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Gujarat Titans' Disappointing Performance

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India] - In the IPL 2026 final, the Gujarat Titans (GT) faced a tough defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), marking a series of disappointing records for the team.

The Titans' batting lineup faltered early, with captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler all dismissed during the powerplay. Washington Sundar's fifty was the highlight, helping GT reach a total of 155/8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

This marked the fourth occasion this season where GT's top three batsmen were dismissed within the powerplay, with three of those instances occurring against RCB.

Additionally, the Titans experienced an unusually long wait for their first six of the innings. Arshad Khan finally broke the drought with a six off Krunal Pandya in the 13th over, setting a record for the longest wait for a team's first six this season.

Arshad's six was also the first boundary for GT since Nishant Sindhu hit a four against Rasikh Salam in the sixth over, resulting in a remarkable 40-ball gap between boundaries, the longest in an IPL final.

On a positive note, GT can take solace in the fact that sub-160 totals have been successfully defended four times in IPL finals, with Mumbai Indians achieving this feat in 2013, 2017, and 2019, and the Deccan Chargers in 2009. The lowest successful total in IPL 2026 was 159/6 by Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants.

Washington Sundar scored 50 runs off 37 balls, including five fours, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs off 18 balls with three fours. Rasikh Salam Dar (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/39) were instrumental in taking wickets for RCB.