RCB vs GT, IPL 2026 Final: Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans to become back-to-back champions

RCB won by 5 wickets and become back-to-back champions.

Rashid Khan is dragging Gujarat Titans right back into the contest. After removing Rajat Patidar earlier, the Afghan spinner now traps Krunal Pandya plumb in front to claim another crucial scalp.

Krunal attempted an ambitious sweep but missed the ball completely, with Nitin Menon having little hesitation in raising the finger. A brief discussion with Virat Kohli wasn’t enough to convince Krunal to review, and ball-tracking later confirmed the delivery was crashing into off stump. RCB have now lost four wickets, and Rashid’s double strike has injected fresh life into the final.

Gujarat Titans have a much-needed breakthrough as Rashid Khan dismisses RCB captain Rajat Patidar. After helping steady the chase following Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive start, Patidar looked to take on Rashid but couldn’t get the desired connection.

The RCB skipper sliced the leg-spinner’s delivery towards long-on, where Kagiso Rabada kept his composure to complete a safe catch. Patidar departs for 15 off 13 balls, giving GT a timely opening in the middle overs.

WICKET! Gujarat Titans finally get the breakthrough they were desperate for as Mohammed Siraj removes the dangerous Venkatesh Iyer. After providing RCB with a flying start in the chase, Iyer falls for a brisk 32 off just 16 balls.

Siraj’s short-ball tactic works perfectly, with the left-hander mistiming his pull straight to Kagiso Rabada at mid-on. It’s a timely strike for GT, but Iyer has already given RCB valuable momentum in the chase.

Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli have come out on the pitch to begin RCB’s innings. Mohammed Siraj is ready with the bowl.

As Gujarat Titans’ innings has ended for 155, it is now time for an innings break. RCB team will begin their chase shortly- in approx 20 minutes.

Rashid Khan’s brief cameo comes to an end as Rasikh Salam Dar delivers a crucial breakthrough. Looking to continue the late assault, Rashid goes for the big shot but fails to get the desired connection.

Romario Shepherd positions himself perfectly and completes the catch safely. Rashid departs for a quick 7 off just 3 balls, dealing another blow to Gujarat Titans in the closing stages.

WICKET! Jason Holder departs for 7 off 5 balls as Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes again. The short ball climbs awkwardly on Holder, who attempts the pull but only manages a massive top edge. Josh Hazlewood settles under it at short third and completes a comfortable catch. Gujarat Titans lose another wicket at a crucial stage as RCB tighten their grip on the contest.

Another blow for Gujarat Titans as Rahul Tewatia dismisses for 7 runs off 5 balls, including one four, Rasikh Dar strikes. GT 116-6 after 16.1 overs.

WICKET! Jos Buttler stumped by Jitesh for a well-set knock, off Krunal Pandya. Buttler tried to step out but missed the wide yorker and Jitesh whipped the bails off in a flash.

Gujarat Titans batter Nishant Sindhu departs after a good start but falls to convert it into a big score. He is caught by Devdutt Padikkal after scoring 20 off just 8 balls, including 3 fours. New batsmen is Washington Sundar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made a solid start in the IPL 2026 final, restricting Gujarat Titans to 45/2 at the end of the powerplay. Josh Hazlewood provided the early breakthrough by removing captain Shubman Gill, while RCB struck again to keep the pressure on the Titans.

Nishant Sindhu is holding one end with 15 off 11 balls, while Jos Buttler is batting on 5 off 5. Rasikh Salam Dar bowled a tidy sixth over, conceding just six runs as RCB maintained control in the opening phase of the contest.

Sai Sudharsan has been departs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Jitesh Sharma taking the catch. Sai scored 12 off 12 balls, including two fours. GT are 30/2 after 4 overs.

WICKET! Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been dismissed by Josh Hazlewood, with RCB skipper Rajat Patidar taking the catch. Gill scored 10 off 8 balls, including two fours. GT are 22/1 after 2.2 overs.

Gujarat Titans have enjoyed tremendous success when setting a target at the Narendra Modi Stadium since 2025. Whenever they have batted first in Ahmedabad, they have emerged victorious, beating Mumbai Indians by 36 runs, Rajasthan Royals by 58 runs, Sunrisers Hyderabad by 38 runs and 82 runs respectively, and Chennai Super Kings by a commanding 89-run margin.

The numbers underline GT’s strength while defending totals at their home venue.

Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill have come out to continue the innings for Gujarat Titans. Jacob Duffy is ready with the bowl.

The IPL 2026 final will be played on pitch number six at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with both square boundaries measuring 66 metres. The surface is a mixed-soil wicket and, according to Aaron Finch, should be a good batting track, although not an absolute run-fest.

Meanwhile, Ian Bishop believes pacers are likely to bowl a high percentage of deliveries on a good length, with hit-the-deck bowlers expected to rely heavily on good and back-of-a-length areas throughout the contest.

Rajat Patidar has enjoyed remarkable luck at the toss in IPL 2026. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain has won the toss in 11 of the 13 matches he has led this season, losing it only once, with one match having no toss result. His impressive record at the toss has often allowed RCB to execute their preferred game plans and has been one of the many positives in the team’s run to the final.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj

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

“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 change. Arshad (Khan) comes in for Sai (Kishore),” Gill.

“We’ll bowl first. It’s a pretty good wicket. Don’t think it’ll change much. 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,” Patidar.

RCB won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Hello, good evening and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of the IPL 2026 final between RCB and GT.

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