IPL 2026 Final: RCB bowl first against GT at Narendra Modi Stadium
Synopsis
RCB won the toss and chose to bowl in the IPL 2026 final against GT at Narendra Modi Stadium — the same venue where RCB won in 2025 and GT in 2022. With both sides chasing a second title and the Qualifier 1 winner winning eight of the last finals, defending champions RCB hold a statistical and psychological edge. GT arrive fatigued after three matches at three venues in six days.
Key Takeaways
RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first against GT in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 31 May 2026 .
Arshad Khan replaces R Sai Kishore as GT's only change; RCB are unchanged from their Qualifier 1 lineup.
Both teams are chasing their second IPL title , which would place them alongside MI, CSK, and KKR as multi-title winners.
The Qualifier 1 winner has won the IPL trophy in eight of the last editions — currently favouring RCB.
GT played their third match at a third venue in six days , arriving in Ahmedabad only on Saturday night after weather disruptions.
The final is on pitch number six with 66-metre square boundaries — assessed as good for batting but with early movement expected for pacers.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, 31 May 2026. The high-stakes decider pits the defending champions against a GT side hungry for their second title, with both franchises chasing a place among the IPL's most decorated clubs.
Toss and Team News
RCB captain Rajat Patidar confirmed his side is unchanged from their Qualifier 1 victory over GT in Dharamshala. GT captain Shubman Gill revealed one change: left-arm seam bowling all-rounder Arshad Khan comes in for R Sai Kishore. Gill added that he would have preferred to bat first, noting 'there could be some movement for the fast bowlers in the first three overs.'
For RCB, Venkatesh Iyer is the likely Impact Player, while Prasidh Krishna is expected to be GT's Impact substitute.
What the Pitch Offers
The final will be played on pitch number six at the Narendra Modi Stadium, featuring equidistant square boundaries of 66 metres. The mixed-soil surface drew contrasting assessments from commentators: Aaron Finch described it as good for batting though 'not a belter', while Ian Bishop anticipated a high proportion of good-length deliveries from pacers, favouring hit-the-deck bowlers.
The Stakes: History in the Making
Both sides are chasing their second IPL title, which would place them alongside Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as franchises with multiple championships. RCB won the IPL 2025 title in Ahmedabad at this very ground; GT lifted the trophy here in 2022, making it their home venue.
RCB have the chance to become only the third team — after MI and CSK — to successfully defend the IPL title. Notably, the winner of Qualifier 1 has gone on to lift the trophy in eight of the last editions, a record that currently favours RCB.
GT's Gruelling Road to the Final
Gujarat Titans arrive at this final having played their third match at a third venue in six days, reaching Ahmedabad only on Saturday night due to inclement weather. The travel-heavy schedule could be a factor in their preparation, though Gill's side has shown resilience throughout the tournament.
Patidar, reflecting on the occasion, said: 'A lot of memories last year, but I think it was in 2025. It's 2026. We have to do our best to win this match. That's important, to keep yourself in the present.' He also paid tribute to RCB's travelling fanbase — the '12th man army' — who have followed the side across venues this season.
Playing XIs
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (captain), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj. Impact Substitutes: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, R Sai Kishore.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar. Impact Substitutes: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox.
With history, home advantage, and momentum all in play, the IPL 2026 final is set to be one of the most closely contested deciders in recent memory.
Point of View
Three venues, six days, arriving the night before a final. Fatigue in a T20 decider is often invisible until the last five overs of a chase. If GT's bowlers are even marginally off in the powerplay, RCB's top order — led by Virat Kohli — will punish it. The real contest may not be between bat and ball, but between GT's resilience and RCB's institutional memory of winning here.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the IPL 2026 final?
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on 31 May 2026.
What is the team change in the IPL 2026 final?
Gujarat Titans made one change: Arshad Khan, a left-arm seam bowling all-rounder, replaced R Sai Kishore. RCB named an unchanged XI from their Qualifier 1 win over GT in Dharamshala.
Can RCB become back-to-back IPL champions?
Yes — a win on 31 May 2026 would make RCB only the third franchise to successfully defend the IPL title, after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. RCB won the IPL 2025 title at the same Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
What is the pitch like for the IPL 2026 final?
The final is being played on pitch number six at Narendra Modi Stadium, with equidistant square boundaries of 66 metres. Commentator Aaron Finch described it as good for batting but not a belter, while Ian Bishop anticipated early movement for hit-the-deck pace bowlers.
How did Gujarat Titans reach the IPL 2026 final?
GT reached the final despite a punishing schedule — they played three matches at three different venues in six days and arrived in Ahmedabad only on the night of 30 May due to inclement weather disruptions.
