RCB VS GT: RCB Aims To Win Back-To-Back Titles Against Resurgent GT.

After 73 grueling games, spanned over two months of high-octane cricket, we are down to the grand finale of IPL 2026. It’s the summit clash as the world’s largest stadium welcomes the teams for this epic clash. It’s the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locking horns with the home team and 2022 champions Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Two best league teams not only this season but across the years since 2022.

RCB reached the summit clash directly after Qualifier 1 after thrashing GT by 92 runs to arrive in Ahmedabad on Wednesday itself. While GT had to make the finals the hard way, as they lost qualifier 1, but won the 2nd Qualifier against RR easily and make it to their home ground. Two deserving teams are in the finals while GT’s flight to Ahmedabad from New Chandigarh was delayed due to storm. So, the home team arrived late night on Saturday. But they will be up for it and so will RCB be as well. A cracking final awaits us all.

Overview. 

So, we are set for the grand finale of IPL 2026 as RCB clashes with GT in the summit clash on Sunday at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After 73 matches and grueling competition between the various teams, we have our final two teams standing and whoever plays better on the night will prevail. There are no favourites for this clash. The team that plays better on the night will lift their second title. Both teams have one trophy to show for at this stage. From 2022 onwards, these two teams have been the most consistent teams so far.

With pitch No. 6 likely to be used for the summit clash, another run-fest could be on the cards. While Gujarat Titans got the better of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on this very surface earlier this season, RCB will draw confidence from the same 22 yards where they ended an 18-year wait for the IPL trophy last year. As for the weather, it is absolutely clear for the ultimate showdown.

GT have been a top-heavy side throughout the tournament. When their top three fire, they look almost unstoppable. But when those runs dry up, they have often struggled to post competitive totals or successfully chase targets. On the other hand, RCB have had different players stepping up at various stages of the tournament, a hallmark of their campaign that has carried them all the way into the final.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have both amassed over 700 runs this season which is more than 100 runs ahead of RCB’s leading run-scorer, Virat Kohli, who has exactly 600 runs to his name. In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada has shouldered much of the responsibility for GT, with valuable support from Mohammed Siraj and Jason Holder. Rashid Khan started the tournament strongly but has tapered off somewhat in the latter stages.

For RCB, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been superb both in the power play and at the death. Josh Hazlewood has blown hot and cold, but Krunal Pandya’s ability to choke the scoring rate while picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs has added another dimension to their attack, making RCB a well-rounded side.

RCB’s Road to the Final: The defending champions began their title defence with back-to-back wins over SRH and CSK before suffering their first defeat of the season against Rajasthan Royals. They responded in style, registering consecutive victories over Mumbai Indians and LSG. Another setback followed against Delhi Capitals, but RCB bounced back yet again, defeating Gujarat Titans and DC in the reverse fixture.

Their momentum was checked by successive defeats to GT and LSG, denying them to complete a league double over either side. However, RCB recovered strongly, winning their final three league matches to finish at the top of the table. Needing to reach a specific score against SRH in their final league game to secure top spot, RCB got the job done comfortably despite ending up on the losing side. They then carried that momentum into Qualifier 1, crushing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to book a direct passage to the final.

RCB were sent in by GT and the defending champions, thanks to a whirlwind knock from skipper Rajat Patidar (93*) posted 254/5 which is the highest score in the IPL playoffs. In reply, GT’s top-order was blown away by Jacob Duffy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Post that, it was only a matter of time before RCB completed an emphatic win.

GT’s Road to the Final: Gujarat Titans endured a difficult start to their campaign, losing their opening two matches against PBKS and Rajasthan Royals. They responded emphatically reeling off three consecutive wins against Delhi Capitals, LSG, and KKR. Back-to-back defeats against Mumbai Indians and RCB threatened to derail their momentum, but the Titans hit back with five straight victories to firmly establish themselves among the frontrunners.

Their winning streak came to an end against KKR, but GT signed off from the league stage on a high by completing a league double over CSK. The victory ensured a second-place finish and with it two opportunities to reach the final. In Qualifier 1, GT appeared to be overawed by the occasion as they were comprehensively outplayed by RCB in Dharamsala.

However, they bounced back in Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur, getting the better of Rajasthan Royals by chasing down a 200-plus target to book their place in a third IPL final in five seasons. Chasing a target in excess of 200, Shubman Gill led from the front with a majestic ton to take his team over the line and set up a final’s date with RCB.

The stage is set. Who will win their second title? Can RCB go back-to-back against consistent GT? We will have to wait and find out.

Head-To-Head. 

RCB and GT have played a total of 9 games. RCB has won 5 and GT 4. Teams chasing have won matches between these sides 8 times with RCB breaking the trend in Qualifier 1. This season, RCB won in Bengaluru, GT won in Ahmedabad while RCB owned them in Dharamsala thanks to Rajat Patidar show. Let’s see who holds their nerves here.

Pitch & Weather Report. 

Ahmedabad has been a pitch which has assisted the new ball bowlers, and it will remain the same for the final, regardless of the soil that will be used. Both sides have quality fast bowlers who enjoy bowling on the Ahmedabad surface, which will both swing and seam. It will test the techniques of the top-order batters.

According to the Accu Weather App, the maximum temperature is 41 degrees, and the minimum is 31 degrees for the final. Because of the drastic temperature change, teams winning the toss might opt to chase due to the possible formation of dew.

Predicted/Probable Playing XIs of both sides. 

Here, we will try and predict the playing XIs of both sides.

RCB XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Krunal Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer/Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/ Romario Shepherd.

GT XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna.

Key Players to watch out for in this clash. 

Virat Kohli: This is the grand finale and the stakes are high. When stakes are higher, the big man steps up in general. Virat Kohli has an average record in IPL knockout games. So, he will want to put that right in Ahmedabad. Even in last year’s final, he was scratchy. He would want to put a dominant performance and put his side on the front foot. If Virat fires, RCB will be in pole position.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been RCB’s best bowler and second in the Purple Cap list. He will be key with the new ball. GT are dependent on their top order. If Bhuvneshwar gets early wickets and is able to knock off Gill and Sai early, GT will feel the pressure. So, it’s imperative from RCB’s point of view, Bhuvneshwar has a good day. He has an off-day, then GT has a good chance.

Shubman Gill: Shubman Gill loves Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and he is coming off a great ton against RR. He will be confident and if he is able to take down and manage the RCB new ball bowlers Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, then he will be fine and if he scores runs, the game could slip out of RCB’s hands before they know it. Gill is GT’s best batter alongside Sai.

Kagiso Rabada: Kagiso Rabada holds the Purple Cap as we speak and has been a revelation this season. He has bowled welln with the new ball and at the death overs. His battle with Virat Kohli could be defining. Last time in Ahmedabad, he dismissed Virat after Virat got a start. If Rabada can dismiss Kohli inside the power play, RCB could be in trouble. If Kohli survives and plays beyond that, things could get tricky. Rabada is a threat for RCB not only for Kohli but for others with the new ball.

Key Stats and Records to look out for ahead of this clash. 

• Rajat Patidar has the opportunity to become only the third captain in IPL history to successfully defend a title. Only MS Dhoni (2010 &2011) and Rohit Sharma (2019 & 2020) have led their teams to back-to-back IPL crowns.
• Josh Hazlewood boasts a perfect record in T20 finals, winning all five he has featured in. His triumphs include the IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and RCB in 2025.
• Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are 54 runs away from becoming the most prolific batting pair in a single IPL season. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis (2023) and Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers (2016) jointly hold the record with 939 partnership runs in a season. Gill and Sudharsan have already amassed 886 runs together this year.

Predicted/Possible Outcome of the Match. 

This is the grand finale of this IPL 2026. Let’s hope it lives up to its billing and we have a good game and not one-sided one. So far, the playoffs have been one-sided. Also hoping for an uninterrupted game. Both teams are solid and evenly matched at this stage we can say. It’s tough to choose a winner. But because RCB has had time to rest and practice compared to GT, we will give them the slightest of edge. But GT at home are a formidable team to beat.

The final can go either ways. We will sit back and enjoy the game and let the better team on the night win. But a slight edge to RCB at this stage.

Also Read: RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli’s Belligerent Knock Lays Foundation