IPL 2026 final | 'There are advantages. That’s how I see it...': Shubman Gill ahead of clash against RCB

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar and GT captain Shubman Gill

Both captains reckon that they have an advantage when defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) collide at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in the Indian Premier League title clash today (Sunday).

Big win for RCB in Qualifier 1

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar believes they have an advantage in having rest days to recover from the physical strain after winning the Qualifier 1 convincingly against GT last Tuesday. GT captain Shubman Gill feels that they hold the advantage of playing at ‘home'.

"We, after Qualifier 1, got enough time to rest and recover. At the same time, GT is coming straight after Qualifier 2, so there will be some sort of advantage," Patidar said while addressing the media on Saturday.

Gill spoke about venue familiarity when he addressed the media after the Qualifier 2 win over Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur as well. "There are advantages. That's how I see it. There's familiarity when we play there [Motera]. We know the wicket and the ground. So, we know what kind of cricket we need to play there to be able to win. So, in that context, I see it as an advantage because there's a little bit of familiarity," he said on Saturday.

Gill also agreed that RCB might be physically well-rested. "Yes, physically they might have an advantage, but I think finals are all about mental [strength], so the team that is mentally up there for the challenge is the one that's going to win."

Gill poised to shine

The Motera ground is a happy hunting ground for Gill. He has three IPL hundreds at this 1,32,000-capacity venue and has scored 1,310 runs at a healthy strike-rate (158.40) as an opener.

One of GT's big strengths is their new-ball attack and the Test-match length they bowl. "It varies. There's probably a metre back or forth. So, there's a reason why Test-match length works because it is the hardest ball to hit as a batsman with the new ball," Gill explained.

Both GT and RCB have similar bowling prowess and Patidar believes in playing to their strengths. "It's important to know your strength. It's more important to look at you first and then others," he said.

Road to the final (RCB)

March 28
Beat SRH by 6 wickets

April 5
Beat CSK by 43 runs

April 10
Lost to RR by 6 wickets

April 12
Beat MI by 18 runs

April 15
Beat LSG by 5 wickets

April 18
Lost to DC by 6 wickets

April 24
Beat GT by 5 wickets

April 27
Beat DC by 9 wickets

April 30
Lost to GT by 4 wickets

May 7
Lost to LSG by 9 runs

May 10
Beat MI by 2 wickets

May 13
Beat KKR by 6 wickets

May 17
Beat PBKS by 23 runs

May 22
Lost to SRH by 55 runs

May 26 (Qualifier 1)
Beat GT by 92 runs

Road to the final (GT)

March 31
Lost to PBKS by 3 wickets

April 4
Lost to RR by 6 runs

April 8
Beat DC by 1 run

April 12
Beat LSG by 7 wickets

April 17
Beat KKR by 5 wickets

April 20
Lost to MI by 99 runs

April 24
Lost to RCB by 5 wickets

April 26
Beat CSK by 8 wickets

April 30
Beat RCB by 4 wickets

May 3
Beat PBKS by 4 wickets

May 9
Beat RR by 77 runs

May 12
Beat SRH by 82 runs

May 16
Lost to KKR by 29 runs

May 21
Beat CSK by 89 runs

May 26 (Qualifier 1)
Lost to RCB by 92 runs

May 29 (qualifier 2)
Beat RR by 7 wickets

Five
No of times RCB have reached the IPL final since 2008 - in 2009, 2011, 2016, 2025 and 2026

Three
No of times GT have reached the IPL final in the last five years - in 2022, 2023 and 2026