Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Here is the complete data-driven preview — head-to-head record, pitch report, probable playing XIs and fantasy analysis.
RCB sealed their place in the final by beating Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1. GT took the second route, winning Qualifier 2 to set up a rematch with the same opponent that beat them comfortably days earlier. So the final is a clash of momentum (RCB) against a team out for redemption (GT) — on a neutral, batting-friendly Ahmedabad surface.
• The teams went into the IPL 2026 playoffs level at 4–4; RCB's 92-run Qualifier 1 win pushed the record to 5–4 in RCB's favour.
• RCB's highest total against GT is 254; their lowest is 155. GT's highest is 205; their lowest is 147.
• Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in this fixture with ~460 runs, including an unbeaten century.
• Mohammed Siraj — who spent seven seasons at RCB before moving to GT — is the leading wicket-taker in this fixture with 10 wickets.
• At the Narendra Modi Stadium specifically, the two have met twice, winning one each.
Captain: Rajat Patidar
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam, Swapnil Singh.
Watch: Kohli's form against GT, Hazlewood with the new ball, Suyash Sharma in the middle overs.
Captain: Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, R Sai Kishore, Jason Holder.
Watch: Gill–Sudharsan opening stand, Rashid Khan in the middle overs, Siraj vs his old side.
Probable XIs are subject to the final toss and team announcement. Confirm at the toss (7:00 PM IST).
Statistical points to consider when you build your own team. These are analytical observations, not guaranteed outcomes.
A batting-friendly surface and shorter straight boundaries favour set top-order batters who bat deep. Kohli, Gill and Sudharsan are the high-floor picks.
The pitch grips later, so wrist-spin can be a wicket source. Rashid Khan and Suyash Sharma are worth strong consideration in the middle overs.
Early seam movement rewards new-ball bowlers. Hazlewood, Siraj and Rabada combine wicket potential with economy upside.
For captaincy, batters who face the most balls carry the highest expected points — top-order anchors over finishers. If you want a differential to climb a large contest, an in-form spinner or new-ball pacer who can take 2+ wickets offers higher variance. Always weigh expected ownership against expected points: a safe captain protects rank, a differential captain chases it.
31 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Toss at 7:00 PM IST, first ball at 7:30 PM IST.
RCB lead 5–4 across 9 IPL meetings, after winning Qualifier 1 by 92 runs.
Yes — it is batting-friendly with an average first-innings score around 178, though it offers early seam and later spin. Chasing teams have a slight edge, especially if there is dew.
Virat Kohli (top scorer in this fixture), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, Josh Hazlewood and Mohammed Siraj.