31 May,2026 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ravi Ashwin and Virat Kohli (File Pic)
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hold the upper hand going into the IPL 2026 final, even though the Gujarat Titans (GT) will be playing in front of their home crowd at Ahmedabad.
The high-stakes championship match features defending champions RCB clashing with GT in Ahmedabad this Sunday, with both franchises aiming to secure their second IPL trophy.
Ashwin pointed out that Bengaluru's bold, high-risk playing style has been a major strength this year, while also praising the impact of seasoned players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya for rising to the occasion in big moments this season.
He added that while Gujarat's home conditions will be a major advantage for GT, RCB possesses a more well-rounded lineup. He concluded that the final is 'RCB's to lose' after their formidable win in Qualifier 1.
"The fact that GT are playing at their home ground, and that they've dominated there and made it a fortress, is something that's really going to give them that extra fillip going into the final. The two teams have very contrasting approaches. RCB have been willing to take that extra risk. They have a team with a few fighters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who have turned up the heat this season. GT's home ground and their familiarity with those conditions are the last piece of the puzzle standing between RCB and a second title. For RCB, it doesn't matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose. They are going in as the favourites. Whatever they do, they must not regress or play any less attacking cricket than they have throughout the season," Ashwin said on JioHotstar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Will Jacks, Cameron Green, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Suyash Prabhudessai, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Mayank Dagar, Reece Topley, Tom Curran, Alzarri Joseph, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Saurav Chauhan, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Gujarat Titans:
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Kane Williamson, Matthew Wade, Wriddhiman Saha, Shahrukh Khan, Abhinav Manohar, B. Sai Sudharsan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Warrier, Umesh Yadav, Kartik Tyagi, Spencer Johnson, R. Sai Kishore, Manav Suthar, Sushant Mishra.
(With ANI inputs)
