Storm-hit travel disrupts Gujarat Titans' IPL final preparations ahead of Ahmedabad showdown with RCB
Ahmedabad, May 31
Gujarat Titans' preparations for the IPL 2026 final suffered an unexpected setback after severe weather conditions delayed the team's arrival in Ahmedabad, leaving them with less than 24 hours to gear up for Sunday's title clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Titans, who secured their place in the final with a victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday, were scheduled to fly from Chandigarh on Saturday afternoon via a chartered flight, according to ESPNcricinfo.
However, heavy rain and stormy conditions across north-western India, particularly in Punjab, disrupted airport operations and delayed multiple departures from Chandigarh.
As a result, the Gujarat Titans reached Ahmedabad only around 10:30 pm on Saturday, significantly reducing their preparation time ahead of the summit clash at their home venue.
The scheduling challenge comes after the BCCI's decision to stage the IPL playoffs across three different venues this season, making it the first time a team has had to travel just a day before the final.
In contrast, RCB arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and have benefited from additional recovery and training time before their second consecutive IPL final appearance.
Speaking ahead of the contest, RCB captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged that his team's early arrival could offer a slight advantage but insisted it would not be decisive.
"After Qualifier 1, we got enough time to rest and recover. At the same time, GT are coming straight from Qualifier 2. There is some sort of advantage, but not a huge one because both teams are very good and have played excellent cricket," Patidar said, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Weather remains a talking point in Ahmedabad, which is set to host its fourth IPL final. Current forecasts indicate clear conditions for Sunday's match, although memories remain fresh of the rain-hit 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. That contest spilled into the reserve day and eventually concluded in the early hours after organisers extended the playing window by two hours.
Gujarat Titans will be chasing their second IPL title after winning the trophy in 2022. They narrowly missed out on a back-to-back title in 2023, losing to Chennai Super Kings off the final ball in one of the most dramatic IPL finals, with Ravindra Jadeja's late heroics sealing CSK's fifth title.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Weather is unpredictable, yaar. But GT has a strong management team - Ashish Nehra and Hardik know how to handle pressure. They won in 2022 with less prep time. Let's see if they can repeat the magic. Rooting for GT! 🏏💙
RCB fans, this is your year! ⭐ Patidar is right - advantage is there, but not huge. GT is a champion side. But with Virat, Faf, and our bowling clicking, we can finally break the curse. Jaise bhi ho, final to final hai! 🔥
I'm a neutral fan from the US, but this scheduling is bizarre. Imagine the Super Bowl having one team fly in the night before. BCCI needs to standardize this - either give both teams equal rest or schedule the qualifiers closer. GT got robbed of proper prep time.
Remember the 2023 final? Rain drama with CSK. Hope this time we get a full match! Ahmedabad weather is clear now, but you never know with Gujarat's unpredictable climate. GT fans, we can still do this - our boys are fighters 💪 Shubman Gill form mein hai!
One thing I don't like about IPL: the travel schedule always feels rushed. Players are humans, not machines. GT had to play a qualifier, then fly in a storm, then play a final in 24 hours? BCCI should learn from football - teams get 3-4 days minimum for big matches. That said, let's hope for a
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