Ashwin: IPL 2026 final is RCB's to lose against Gujarat Titans
Synopsis
Ashwin's verdict is unambiguous: RCB go into the IPL 2026 final as favourites, and only their own regression can cost them the title. With a 92-run Qualifier 1 demolition of Gujarat already on the board, Bengaluru are chasing a place among only three franchises ever to defend the IPL crown — and Ashwin believes the bigger threat is complacency, not the opposition.
Key Takeaways
Ravichandran Ashwin has backed RCB as outright favourites for the IPL 2026 final .
RCB beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to reach the final directly.
The final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad — GT's home ground.
Gujarat Titans , led by Shubman Gill , qualified via Qualifier 2 by defeating Rajasthan Royals .
RCB are aiming to become only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title.
Ashwin cited Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya as key fighters in RCB's aggressive setup.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has declared that defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the IPL 2026 final as outright favourites, asserting that only a self-inflicted collapse can deny them back-to-back titles. The final is set to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Gujarat Titans (GT) have been near-invincible this season.
RCB's Road to the Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished atop the league table before producing a dominant display in Qualifier 1, hammering Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to earn a direct berth in the final. The campaign has been defined by aggressive, risk-embracing cricket that Ashwin believes sets them apart from any other team in the tournament.
What Ashwin Said
'For RCB, it doesn't matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose. They are going in as the favourites. Whatever they do, they must not regress or play any less attacking cricket than they have throughout the season,' Ashwin said.
He also acknowledged Gujarat's home advantage, noting: 'The fact that GT are playing at their home ground, and that they've dominated there and made it a fortress, is something that's really going to give them that extra fillip going into the final.'
Contrasting Styles at the Crease
Ashwin highlighted the divergent approaches of the two finalists as a key tactical subplot. 'The two teams have very contrasting approaches. RCB have been willing to take that extra risk. They have a team with a few fighters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who have turned up the heat this season,' he said.
He concluded that GT's familiarity with Ahmedabad conditions is 'the only last piece of the puzzle standing between RCB and a second title' — a pointed acknowledgement that the home factor remains a genuine variable.
Gujarat's Comeback and Home Fortress
Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, recovered from their Qualifier 1 defeat by overcoming Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to book their place in the final. One of the most consistent sides of the season, GT will draw on strong home-crowd support and an imposing record at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
What Is at Stake
RCB are aiming to become only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title — a feat that has eluded most of the sport's powerhouses. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, are chasing their second IPL championship. With both teams carrying contrasting momentum into the summit clash, the final shapes up as one of the most anticipated in recent IPL history.
Point of View
And the weight of favouritism at a neutral-turned-home venue for the opposition is a genuine psychological variable. Gujarat's 92-run Qualifier 1 loss could either deflate or galvanise them — history suggests teams that absorb a heavy defeat and still reach the final often arrive with something to prove. The more interesting question mainstream coverage is missing: can RCB's aggressive template hold up on a surface that GT have spent an entire season mastering?
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ravichandran Ashwin say about the IPL 2026 final?
Ashwin said RCB are the outright favourites and that it is 'their final to lose,' urging them not to regress from the aggressive cricket they have played all season. He acknowledged Gujarat's home-ground advantage but maintained that RCB's overall campaign makes them the team to beat.
Where is the IPL 2026 final being played?
The IPL 2026 final is being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which serves as Gujarat Titans' home ground. GT have built a formidable record there this season, which Ashwin identified as their key edge.
How did RCB and Gujarat Titans qualify for the IPL 2026 final?
RCB finished top of the league table and then beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 to earn a direct place in the final. Gujarat Titans recovered from that defeat to beat Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 and book their spot.
What record is RCB chasing in the IPL 2026 final?
RCB are aiming to become only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the IPL title. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, are chasing their second IPL championship.
Why does Ashwin consider GT's home ground a significant factor?
Ashwin said GT have 'dominated' the Narendra Modi Stadium and 'made it a fortress' this season, giving them an extra psychological boost heading into the final. He described their familiarity with those conditions as 'the only last piece of the puzzle' standing between RCB and a second title.
