IPL Final Match Today: Rajat Patidar's RCB vs Shubman Gill's GT - Predicted playing XI, head-to-head, toss timing, pitch report, Ahmedabad weather update

Gujarat Titans have taken a challenging route to the final. After a mixed start that saw them win only three of their first six matches, GT found momentum by winning seven of their next ten games to secure a top-two finish. A major turning point came with the inclusion of Jason Holder, who replaced Glenn Phillips and contributed 17 wickets in 10 matches with his hard-length bowling approach.GT's hopes largely rest on their top order of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. If the trio can negotiate the new-ball threat posed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, GT will back themselves to post or chase a big total. However, their dependence on the top three and the quick turnaround after Qualifier 2 remain concerns.RCB enter the final in a more comfortable position after enjoying a three-day break following their Qualifier 1 victory. The defending champions have built their season around an explosive batting unit, crossing the 200-run mark nine times and successfully chasing 200-plus targets on two occasions. Their strength lies in contributions from throughout the batting order, with Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer all playing important roles alongside Virat Kohli.The final will be played at a venue that holds historic significance for both franchises. Gujarat Titans won their maiden title there in 2022, while RCB ended their 18-year wait for the trophy at the same ground in 2025. Now, both teams are chasing a second IPL crown, with GT looking to cement their status as a modern IPL powerhouse and RCB aiming to become only the third team after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to successfully defend their title.The IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will be played on the mixed-soil Pitch No. 6 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, a surface known for producing high-scoring games. The pitch previously hosted the T20 World Cup final and also witnessed GT's league-stage victory over RCB earlier this season. However, it is equally special for RCB, who won their maiden IPL title at the venue in 2025.An uninterrupted full 40-over match is guaranteed for the blockbuster IPL 2026 Final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, as the India Meteorological Department has forecast no threat of rain. Current conditions in Ahmedabad indicate clear, sunny skies with a localized temperature of 34°C that feels like 39°C due to a moderate 52% humidity level. The heavy moisture will make the ball slippery later in the evening, meaning the captain winning the toss will almost certainly opt to bowl first to leverage the easier chasing conditions.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy Impact Player: Romario Shepherd/Suyash SharmaGujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna Impact Player: Arshad Khan/R Sai KishoreThe RCB vs GT clash will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The game will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.The toss for today’s IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will take place at 7:00 PM IST, while the match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.