Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play the Gujarat Titans at the IPL 2026 final on Sunday at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium.
Having waited 18 long years to win their first IPL title, RCB finally achieved the dream last season. Now the Bengaluru-based franchise is on the brink of history again as it seeks to become champions for the second consecutive year.
RCB Riding High on Consistency
RCB has been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament under Rajat Patidar. They topped the league standings and received a direct spot in the final after beating the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.
RCB’s batting unit has been in great form. Virat Kohli has scored 600 runs for the team, while Rajat Patidar has scored 486 runs. Opener Devdutt Padikkal has also had a successful campaign with 463 runs.
Patidar’s unbeaten 93 runs in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat’s pace attack were crucial when RCB looked vulnerable. The skipper's explosive innings helped Bengaluru compile a big total and go on to the final with confidence.
The team will also depend on the experience and finishing skills of Jitesh Sharma, Tim David and other middle-order batters to deliver in the title clash.
Strong Bowling Attack
RCB's bowling department has complemented its batting brilliance throughout the season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been very good with 26 wickets, and Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam have been the key players.
Krunal Pandya has emerged as a key contributor with both bat and ball and has collected 13 wickets and scored valuable runs lower down the order.
Gujarat Titans Seek Redemption
Despite their bitter defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1, the Gujarat Titans are still one of the strongest teams in the competition. They finished level on points with Bengaluru in the league phase but came second because of a lower net run rate.
After losing to RCB, Gujarat bounced back strongly again against Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator to secure a place in the final.
Shubman Gill has been sensational with 722 runs, and opening partner Sai Sudharsan has 710 runs. Their partnership has been the backbone of Gujarat's batting success this season.
Jos Buttler has scored 507 runs, and all-rounder Washington Sundar has also contributed significantly with the bat.
Titans' Bowling Unit is a Major Threat
Gujarat's bowling attack remains one of the most formidable in the league. Kagiso Rabada leads the wicket-taking charts with 28 wickets this season.
Mohammed Siraj, along with him, has been great with the new ball and consistently troubled opposition batters in the powerplay overs. Rabada and Siraj rank among the leaders in dot-ball deliveries this season.
Titans also have some good spin and pace options in Rashid Khan, Jason Holder and Prasidh Krishna, and so they have a balanced attack to contend with the top-class batsmen of RCB.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between the two teams has been closely contested.
- Matches Played: 9
- RCB Wins: 5
- Gujarat Titans Wins: 4
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt/Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (Captain), Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada.
A Final Worthy of the Occasion
With RCB chasing history by winning two straight IPL titles and the Gujarat Titans fighting to avenge their Qualifier 1 defeat, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two evenly matched sides.
The battle between Kohli and Rabada, Patidar and Rashid Khan, and Gill versus RCB's experienced bowling attack will decide who will win the IPL 2026 trophy in Ahmedabad.
