IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins toss; opts to field vs Gujarat Titans in final
Ahmedabad, May 31
The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and decided to field against the Gujarat Titans in the grand finale of the Indian Premier League 2026 on Sunday.
The high-voltage clash is being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams are eyeing their second IPL title win.
Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar has expressed confidence, saying the team is focused on giving their best on match day.
Speaking during the toss, Patidar revealed RCB's plans for the toss, stating, "We'll bowl first. It's a pretty good wicket. Don't think it'll change much. A lot of memories, last year. We have to do our best to win this match. It's important to be in the present. Let's control the controllables. Always love to play at this stadium. Same team."
On the other side, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill revealed his preference for batting first, highlighting the pitch conditions and squad change.
"We would have batted first. Typical wicket, third match we are playing here. There could be some movement for the fast bowlers in the first three overs. One of the biggest stadiums in the world. We've got one chance. Arshad (Khan) comes in for Sai (Kishore)," Gill said.
Teams: Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.
Gujarat Titans Impact subs: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally a final without Mumbai or Chennai! 😅 RCB vs GT—two relatively newer champs. Love that they're sticking with same XI as last year. But honestly, Gill's team looks more balanced on paper. Washington Sundar at 4? Interesting move for GT. Hope Virat Kohli scores big in his 15th final! 💙
As a neutral fan, this is a fascinating matchup. RCB's pace attack with Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, and Duffy is world-class. But GT's spin options—Rashid and Sundar—could be decisive on this Ahmedabad surface which tends to slow down. Patidar's captaincy will be tested. Also, good to see Devdutt Padikkal back in the XI—long overdue!
Cricket fan from the US here—wow, this IPL final has everything: star power, big stadium, defending champions vs a strong challenger. Can't believe RCB left out a proven finisher like Venkatesh Iyer from the starting XI though! But Romario Shepherd has been in great form lately. Rooting for GT because of Gill's calm captaincy. 🇮🇳🏏
RCB fans assemble! 🏆 This is OUR year! Patidar's tactical call to field first shows he's learned from past mistakes. The bowling lineup is arguably the best RCB has ever had in a final. But my only concern is the middle order—if Virat and Patidar fail early, Tim David and Shepherd have big shoes to fill. Still, bring it on! 🔥
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