Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans face off in the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, 31 May, at 7:30 PM IST. The summit clash pits the defending champions against a resurgent home side, with a place in IPL history on the line for both franchises.

What Is at Stake

For RCB, captained by Rajat Patidar, victory would make them only the third franchise — after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings — to successfully defend an IPL title. For Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, it is a chance to claim a second crown in four seasons and avenge a 92-run hammering at RCB's hands in Qualifier 1, when Bengaluru posted a playoff-record 254/5.

How Both Teams Reached the Final

RCB's route was direct and dominant. Their record-breaking batting display in Qualifier 1 sent them straight to the final without a second chance required. Gujarat, after that heavy defeat, regrouped swiftly and eliminated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to earn their spot at the summit.

Key Battles to Watch

Bengaluru's batting depth is formidable. Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, and Venkatesh Iyer complement captain Patidar in what is arguably the competition's most destructive top-to-middle order. Their approach — attacking regardless of conditions — has been the defining feature of their title defence.

Gujarat's counter lies in their pace arsenal. Kagiso Rabada, the Purple Cap holder, and Mohammed Siraj form a fearsome new-ball pairing, supported by Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, and Jason Holder. However, Siraj reportedly struggled with a shoulder issue during Qualifier 2, and his fitness will be closely monitored ahead of the final.

In batting, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have combined for over 1,400 runs this season, building innings patiently before accelerating. Jos Buttler provides the explosive dimension at the top. RCB's bowling, meanwhile, is led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has taken 26 wickets in the campaign, with Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam, and Krunal Pandya offering consistent support.

Numbers and Context

RCB hold a narrow 5-4 advantage in the overall head-to-head record against Gujarat and have won two of three meetings between the sides this season. Yet Gujarat have made Ahmedabad a near-impregnable fortress, winning five of seven home matches during the league phase. Momentum points to Bengaluru; conditions and crowd advantage point to the Titans.

Match Details and Where to Watch

The IPL 2026 Final takes place on Sunday, 31 May 2026, at 7:30 PM IST at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar streaming the game online.

RCB Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Kanishk Chouhan, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Satvik Deswal.

GT Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gurnoor Brar, M Shahrukh Khan.

One side will etch its name into IPL history on Sunday night — either Patidar's RCB as back-to-back champions, or Gill's Titans completing a homecoming worthy of the occasion.