IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs GT playing 11, batters vs bowlers matchups

The winner of the RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final will become the fourth team after CSK, MI and KKR to win more than one IPL title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will battle for the IPL 2026 crown when they meet in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31. With both teams chasing their second IPL title, the summit clash promises to be a fitting end to an exciting season.

 

Defending champions RCB enter the final brimming with confidence after their commanding win over GT in Qualifier 1. Rajat Patidar's side produced a record-breaking batting display, posting 254 runs, the highest total in IPL playoff history. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal and Venkatesh Iyer have formed a formidable batting unit, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam and Josh Hazlewood have spearheaded the bowling attack.

 

 

A victory would make RCB only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to successfully defend an IPL title.

 

GT, however, responded strongly to their Qualifier 1 defeat by chasing down 215 against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, the highest successful chase in IPL playoff history. Led by Shubman Gill, the Titans have enjoyed consistent contributions from their top order and bowling attack. If their middle order can deliver on the biggest stage, GT will fancy their chances of lifting a second IPL trophy. 

 

Now, before the two sides finally take the field for the last time this season, let’s take a look at the captaincy records of both skippers, their expected playing 11 combinations and key player match-ups for the game.

Rajat Patidar’s captaincy record in IPL (RCB)

• Matches: 30
• Wins: 20
• Losses: 10
• N/R: 0
• Win percentage: 66.66%

Shubman Gill's captaincy record in IPL (GT)

• Matches: 42
• Wins: 24
• Losses: 18
• N/R: 0
• Win percentage: 57.14%

IPL 2026: RCB playing 11 vs GT

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into the IPL 2026 final as slight favourites after a dominant campaign. RCB's batting unit has been one of the most destructive in the tournament, with Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal and Venkatesh Iyer consistently delivering match-winning performances. Their confidence will be sky-high after posting a record 254 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.

 

The bowling attack has also been equally impressive, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar leading the charge alongside Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya. The combination of experience and depth has made RCB one of the most balanced sides in the competition. A win in Ahmedabad would see them become only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to successfully defend an IPL title.

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing 11 (probable): Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Salam

 

Impact Player: Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox

 

RCB squad for IPL 2026:

 

Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Swapnil Singh, Phil Salt, Nuwan Thushara, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal

IPL 2026: GT playing 11 vs RCB

Gujarat Titans have once again relied heavily on their formidable top order to reach the IPL 2026 final. Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have carried the batting unit throughout the season, contributing the bulk of the runs and helping GT overcome several challenging situations.

 

The Titans enter the final after pulling off the highest successful chase in IPL playoff history against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Their bowling attack remains one of the strongest in the tournament, featuring Purple Cap leader Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder. However, Siraj's fitness could be a concern after he experienced shoulder discomfort during Qualifier 2. GT will also hope for greater contributions from their middle order as they chase a second IPL crown.

 

Gujarat Titans Playing 11 (probable): Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Nishant Sindhu, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

 

Impact Player: Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore

 

GT squad for IPL 2026:

 

Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips, Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Manav Suthar, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Luke Wood, Kulwant Khejroliya, Connor Esterhuizen

IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs GT key player battles

RCB batters vs GT bowlers

 

Batter (RCB)	Bowler (GT)	Inns	Runs	Outs	SR
Virat Kohli	Prasidh Krishna	8	69	3	168
Virat Kohli	Kagiso Rabada	16	111	5	141
Virat Kohli	Rashid Khan	11	128	3	135
Virat Kohli	Jason Holder	9	86	3	183
Devdutt Padikkal	Prasidh Krishna	5	47	1	188
Devdutt Padikkal	Mohammed Siraj	7	41	3	141
Devdutt Padikkal	Kagiso Rabada	8	78	0	190
Devdutt Padikkal	Rashid Khan	8	38	5	93
Tim David	Kagiso Rabada	4	31	2	135
Tim David	Rashid Khan	17	70	3	130
Tim David	Jason Holder	13	136	3	252
Venkatesh Iyer	Mohammed Siraj	7	38	0	103
Venkatesh Iyer	Rashid Khan	5	33	1	106
Jitesh Sharma	Sai Kishore	3	12	3	109
Jitesh Sharma	Rashid Khan	6	43	2	159
Krunal Pandya	Prasidh Krishna	6	25	0	132
Krunal Pandya	Kagiso Rabada	9	43	2	148
Krunal Pandya	Rashid Khan	10	30	3	94
Romario Shepherd	Kagiso Rabada	6	56	0	200

 

GT batters vs RCB bowlers

 

Batter (GT)	Bowler (RCB)	Inns	Runs	Outs	SR
Shubman Gill	Josh Hazlewood	7	55	2	141
Shubman Gill	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	13	80	5	107
Shubman Gill	Krunal Pandya	8	65	1	108
Sai Sudharsan	Suyash Sharma	3	32	0	152
Sai Sudharsan	Josh Hazlewood	2	28	2	133
Sai Sudharsan	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	6	51	1	121
Sai Sudharsan	Rasikh Salam	3	30	1	143
Sai Sudharsan	Krunal Pandya	3	35	1	159
Jos Buttler	Jacob Duffy	4	32	1	152
Jos Buttler	Josh Hazlewood	12	142	1	178
Jos Buttler	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	20	118	9	109
Jos Buttler	Romario Shepherd	11	69	2	173
Jos Buttler	Krunal Pandya	5	64	0	164
Washington Sundar	Krunal Pandya	5	6	2	50
Jason Holder	Josh Hazlewood	5	27	0	193
Jason Holder	Romario Shepherd	13	49	5	104