RCB elects to field first in IPL 2026 final

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and elected to field first against the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2026 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The match pits the defending champions against the 2022 winners, with both franchises seeking a second IPL title.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar cited the pitch conditions and past success for his decision, while Gujarat captain Shubman Gill stated he would have preferred to bat first. The Titans made one change to their lineup, bringing in Arshad Khan for Sai Kishore. RCB fielded an unchanged side from their previous match.

The final is a rematch of the first qualifier, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by 92 runs after posting a record playoff total of 254. Gujarat advanced by beating the Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier, successfully chasing a target of 215 runs, a playoff record, led by Gill’s century.

Early in the final, RCB’s decision to bowl yielded immediate results. Pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck in the powerplay, dismissing the dangerous Gujarat opening pair cheaply. Gill was caught for 10 runs off eight deliveries, and Sai...