Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, IPL, 2026 May 31 Full score card

SIX! Virat Kohli finishes things off in style! A slower one from Arshad Khan, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Kohli clears his front leg and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie. A maiden IPL title was years in the making, but a second has followed immediately. RCB ARE CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN. Virat points to the stands, and the celebrations begin in the Bengaluru camp. They beat GT by 5 wickets.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Arshad Khan bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Virat Kohli backs away, gets on top of the bounce and swats it wide of mid on for a boundary.

Hits the deck hard and on off, angling away, Jitesh Sharma plays it late and steers it past the keeper, towards third man for another run.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Jitesh Sharma steps across but only manages to dig it out towards mid on.

Back of a length and around off, Virat Kohli guides it away to deep third for a run. RCB are one big hit away from the win now.

Oh, dear! Arshad Khan has gone down, and he seems to be in a lot of pain. Hopefully, it is just a cramp, and the physio is out stretching his left hamstring. After a bit of a wait, Arshad is good to go again.

Short of a length and on off, Jitesh Sharma runs it down to deep third for a single. Arshad has gone down to the ground and looks like he is suffering from cramps here.

Slows it up, shortish and on off, Virat Kohli looks to cut it away but chops it down to the off side.

Tossed up, full and around off, Jitesh Sharma drills it towards long off for another run.

Dragged back, on middle, Jitesh Sharma punches it down the pitch. Rashid Khan dives to his right to make a one-handed stop.

Floated up with a bit of air given, fuller and at the sticks. Kohli checks his drive as he plays it towards long on and crosses over.

Bowled flatter and the length stays short, on middle. Jitesh punches it off the back foot down to long on for one.

Edgy! Rashid serves the googly, a bit too short, on middle and leg. Jitesh hops back to turn it away. He closes the bat face early and the ball pops up off a leading edge but drops well in front of cover.

Kohli survives! Arshad Khan serves this fuller and around off, Virat Kohli looks to loft it down the ground but miscues it off the bottom half of the bat. It flies towards mid on, where Shubman Gill dives forward and grabs it with both hands. He is claiming the catch, but Kohli is not going anywhere. The third umpire is called upon to check the catch. The replay shows that when Gill's hands hit the ground, the ball just pops out, and some part of the ball is in contact with the ground. It is Not Out, and Kohli throws a punch in delight. He wants to stay till the end.

Is that a fair catch? Shubman Gill seems to have taken it cleanly, but Virat Kohli wants the umpire to have a look. Eventually, Gill isn't completely sure and the third umpire is called in. Replays show that the catch isn't quite clean but the fingers do seem underneath the ball. Really tough one to judge whether any part of the ball touched the turf or not. The third umpire feels that some part of the ball is touching the ground and the zoomer does confirm it as well. NOT OUT! The biggest cheer of the night from the crowd comes out as well.

Hard length and on off, Jitesh Sharma pats it with a straight bat towards mid off for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Jitesh Sharma stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Touch fuller and around off, Virat Kohli drives it away to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Arshad serves the short ball but the line is a little too straight, around leg. Kohli stays inside the line and rolls his wrists to help the pull towards deep fine leg for a boundary. RCB require 13 more runs.

Good length and on off, Virat Kohli opens the bat face and steers it on the bounce to backward point.

Dug in short at 143 kph, over off. Jitesh arches back to play the upper cut but is beaten for pace.

Attacking the front pad with a good-length delivery. Sharma walks inside the line and flicks it a bit uppishly through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Drags the length back now, on off, Jitesh steers it from the crease to backward point.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Prasidh goes fuller, just outside the off stump. Jitesh stays deep in the crease but shuffles a bit to get closer to the line of the ball. He extends his hands and plays a punchy drive to the right of cover for a four. 19 more needed for RCB.

Hits the back of a length, in line with the off stump. Jitesh angles it towards backward point. A lot of noise around the bat from the GT fielders.

Starts with a full ball, aimed at the sticks. Kohli knocks it down towards long on and gets to the other end.

The next batter in is Jitesh Sharma. Also, Prasidh Krishna has been called into the attack. Can he pull off something special here?

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The Titans get the review right and Tim David departs with RCB needing 24 more runs. Arshad gets the ball to move away off the deck, on a good length, on off and middle. David does not move his feet at all and brings his bat out in front for the block. The ball decks away to go past the outside edge before going through to the keeper, Jos Buttler. Was there an edge? GT think so but the appeal gets turned down. There was a noise, and Shubman Gill takes the review. A spike on the UltraEdge when the ball is next to the bat and the on-field decision will have to be overturned. RCB are now 5 down for 132.

Leaving the right-hander and this is fuller in length. Tim slices it with an open bat face but picks out the man at backward point.

FOUR! In the gap! Arshad digs it in short, outside off, just above the shoulder. David hops and gets his hands high to slap it between cover and mid off for a boundary. 24 more needed for RCB.

Fuller in length, on off. Kohli presents the full face of the bat and eases it wide of mid off. The long on fielder gets around and tidies up. Just a single.

Hits the back of a length, on off. Kohli tucks it wide of mid-wicket and sets off before being sent back by David.

Across the off stump, on a good length. David stays back and dabs it to the right of point for a single. Kohli jogs to the other end to complete the run.

Strategic Break! It would not be too far-fetched to say that Royal Challengers Bengaluru have one hand on the trophy. It is that man, Virat Kohli, once again, who has been the talking point in this chase, notching up his fastest fifty in IPL. He is hobbling a bit, but would want to stay till the end and finish the job. Gujarat Titans really need a miracle here, needing to pick up wickets in bunches, but they do not have enough runs to play with here.

Dishes out the googly, a bit shorter, on middle. David rocks back and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Around leg, on a good length. Virat clips it through square leg and limps to the other end.

Flatter and shorter, on middle. Tim punches it to long on and crosses over.

SIX! Just over! Rashid drops it fractionally short, on off. David picks the length early and smacks it down the ground with a horizontal bat. Not from the middle of the bat but enough to clear the leaping Kagiso Rabada on the long on fence. 33 more needed for RCB.

Tossed up, on off, David blocks it off.

In the air...but out of reach! Leg-break by Rashid, on a good length, on off. The ball stops on Kohli, who tries to push it down the ground. He plays it uppishly and despite an acrobatic leap to his left by Rashid, the ball evades him. Single taken.

Halt! The physio is out once again for Virat Kohli, who is getting his right knee strapped up. Kohli is now ready to resume.

Excellent running! Length again, in and around off, Kohli drops it with soft hands in front of cover-point and scampers through for one. 40 needed now off 48 balls.

Back of a length, outside off, Kohli waits back and plays it late, dabbing it down to backward point.

Angled well across the off stump again, David reaches out and slices it down to deep point for a single.

Fuller and pushed well wide of the off stump. Kohli really reaches for it and gets an outside edge down to the right of deep third for a single..

FOUR! Just wide of the fielder and Virat Kohli notches up a blistering FIFTY in the Final. Back of a length, angled across off. Kohli smacks the pull, uppishly and wide to the left of Jason Holder at mid-wicket for a boundary. According to the on-air commentators, this is Kohli's fastest IPL half-century, what a time to do it as well.

No run there. Arshad hits a hard length and bowls it on off. Kohli plays it late, nudging it down in front of point and looks for the single but David rightly sends him back.

Still no Prasidh Krishna. Shubman Gill has turned to Arshad Khan.

FOUR! Streaky but invaluable for Tim David. Fullish length, floated outside off. David makes room to cut again, but slices it well wide of the first slip fielder and the ball rolls away into the fence. 47 needed off 54 balls.

Top delivery! Flatter googly on off, darts back in sharply. David backs away and jams it into the off side.

Slight halt! Virat Kohli has called for the physio. Looks like it is just cramps. He is taking some fluids in and is ready to go again.

Another fine effort in the deep from Arshad. Floated up outside off, David reaches out and hits it through covers. Arshad Khan at sweeper cover, runs a long way to his right and dives in to save a couple of runs. 51 needed now off 56 balls.

Oh, nearly! Tossed-up googly, lands it just outside off. Tim David backs away to go over covers but is nearly beaten in the flight. David manages to eke out an inside edge.

Flatter one on middle, on a dragged length. Virat rocks back and stabs it through mid-wicket for a run.

Excellent fielding in the deep, but Tim David survives. Tossed up by Rashid, full and outside off. Virat Kohli plays a lovely cover drive but Sai Sudharsan springs to his left and gets a hand on it. The batters look for two but David is a bit sluggish to get back. Arshad Khan picks up the ball and fires in a direct hit at the bowler's end. The replays show that David did well to slide his bat inside the crease in time.

Direct hit! The run out appeal has been checked in the background, and Tim David is safe. The third umpire wants to be sure and has another look. David is safely in.

A steepler from Holder this time. Banged in short over off, near head height and David lets it go.

FOUR! That will ease the nerves for David. Dug in halfway down the pitch and outside off, no real bite on it. David hangs back, reaches out and slaps the pull wide of long on for a boundary. 100 UP FOR RCB.

Back of a length, Holder extracts some extra bounce as well. David hangs back and forces it down to mid off.

Shorter in length and over middle, Kohli drags the pull flat towards deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Length again, around off, Kohli looks to tap and run by placing the ball gently into the off side, but David sends him back.

FOUR! Not what you want as a bowling team at this moment. On a good length, sliding down leg. Kohli walks inside the line and clips it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.

Probing length from Rashid, in and around off. Tim David gets a big stride in and blocks it off.

Two wickets in the over, just what the doctor ordered for GT. Tim David makes his way out to bat. This should be a fascinating battle between David and Rashid.

OUT! LBW! Would you believe it? Rashid Khan pulls GT back into the game in a matter of just 4 balls. That's pretty plumb and Virat Kohli doesn't even bother telling Krunal Pandya to take the review. Flatter one from Rashid, bowled full and on off. Pandya lunges across to drag the sweep shot fine but plays all around it. The ball catches him on the crouched back thigh, and up goes the finger. From 89/2, RCB are now 91/4, still needing 65 for the win.

Dragged short on leg, Kohli swivels back and hoicks the pull just to the right of deep backward square leg for a run.

Full again, on middle and leg, pushed back past the bowler and down to long on for a run.

Out goes Rajat Patidar and in walks Krunal Pandya. Can Rashid Khan follow up that breakthrough with another?

OUT! CAUGHT! Kagiso Rabada steps close to the ropes, but does well to just jam the brakes, and Rashid Khan gets a wicket in his very first over. Nicely tossed up, on middle and this one dips a bit as well. Rajat Patidar goes down on one knee and looks to slog it away. Patidar gets it high on the bat and the ball sails down to long on, where the catch is taken. RCB are now 89/3.

Tossed up, full and around off. This is driven along the turf to long off for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Royal Challengers Bengaluru are icing this chase and Virat Kohli looks in devastating form. The target wasn't a big one to begin with, but the way RCB began just ruined any hopes of a comeback from the Gujarat Titans. GT do have a couple of wickets to their name, but with just 68 needed off 72 balls and 8 wickets in hand, GT will need more than a miracle to even take things really deep. It will be spin after the break in the form of Rashid Khan. Shubman Gill has positioned himself at slip.

FOUR! Gets it away! Into the surface, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Rajat Patidar gets on top of it, swivels and swats it wide of long on for a boundary. RCB need 68 runs in 72 balls.

Short of a length and outside off, Rajat Patidar cuts it on the bounce to point.

Pace off, good length and on middle, Virat Kohli works it towards the mid on region and calls for the run. Kagiso Rabada from mid-wicket runs towards the ball but slides over it. Kohli thinks about the second, but long on is quick to get to the ball.

Touch fuller and around off, Virat Kohli drives it on the up but cannot find the gap, hitting it straight to short cover.

Back of a length and on middle and off, Rajat Patidar tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a run.

On a length and on off, Virat Kohli flicks it through square leg for a single.

Jason Holder comes into the attack now.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Rajat Patidar clips it to short mid-wicket. Siraj finishes his spell in the final with figures of 4-0-36-1.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, on off, but a bit too high for the batter, Rajat Patidar lets it go. Called a wide.

Uppish but safe! Back of a length and on the leg stump line, Rajat Patidar stays back and flicks it aerially but wide of short mid-wicket and to the right of long on for a brace.

Much fuller and on middle and leg, Virat Kohli drives it to long on for a run.

Hard length and on middle, angling in, Rajat Patidar pats it down to long on for a single.

Fuller one and on middle, Rajat Patidar tucks it away to short mid-wicket.

SIX! Skipper's turn now! Short of a length and on middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Rajat Patidar gets inside the line of it and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Mohammed Siraj (3-0-25-1) will bowl out here.

SIX! Virat Kohli is not holding back! Kagiso Rabada fires in a quick bumper, on middle and leg. Kohli takes it on and attempts the pull shot, but the ball flies off the top edge over the fine leg fence for a biggie. RCB are 70/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

On a length and on middle, Rajat Patidar flicks it through square leg for a single.

Bangs in a bouncer now, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar ducks under it.

Fuller and on off, shaping in, Rajat Patidar gets forward and blocks it out.

Beaten! Good-length delivery, around off, holds its line, Rajat Patidar goes for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Kagiso Rabada does repay the trust shown in him by Shubman Gill. The RCB skipper, Rajat Patidar, is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wow, gutsy move from Shubman Gill to stick with Kagiso Rabada, and that brings in another wicket for the Titans. Kagiso Rabada bowls this fuller and keeps it away from the batter, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal backs away a long way and just throws his bat at it to reach out. He ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat towards deep third, where Arshad Khan quickly runs to his left, crouches low and takes a fantastic catch near his face. That is also wicket number 29 for Rabada, which secures the Purple Cap for him.

Bowling change? Nope. Kagiso Rabada will continue, even after going for 37 in his first 2 overs.

On a length and on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal runs it down to deep third for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and dabs it down in front of point.

Change of pace, full and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal knocks it back to the bowler.

A sliver of hope for GT, but they will need a lot more to get back into this contest. That said, Devdutt Padikkal walks in to bat at number 3 for RCB.

OUT! TAKEN! A much-needed breakthrough for the Titans. Mohammed Siraj hits the deck hard this time, on middle, skids through a bit. Venkatesh Iyer stays deep inside his crease to flat-bat it down the ground but gets rushed again. He fails to get the elevation and hits it tamely towards mid on, where Kagiso Rabada takes a simple catch. A bit of a send-off from Siraj, but Venkatesh has done his job. RCB are 62/1, chasing 156 runs.

SIX! Goes all the way! Mohammed Siraj bangs in a quick bumper, on middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer looks to heave it away but gets hurried a bit. It flies off the top edge towards the deep backward square leg fence. Just 94 needed now for RCB.

Follows the batter, lands this back of a length and angling into the leg side. Virat Kohli pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammed Siraj to continue. Shubman Gill wants to stick to the regular plan, even when the match is slipping out of GT's hands.

Struck on the body. A proper short ball to the left-hander, over middle. Venkatesh moves towards the leg side and shapes up for the pull but catches it on the elbow. He is not aware of where the ball is but luckily for him, it lands away from the off stump. Rabada goes for 19 runs in his 2nd over and GT are left scratching their heads. RCB need 101 runs from 96 balls.

Into the surface, following the batter, Kohli nails the pull but picks out the man at deep square leg. Just a single.

FOUR! Beats the fielder in the deep. Kohli is rampant, and the crowd is absolutely loving it. Dug in slightly short by Kagiso, on middle. Kohli gets it at a good height and pulls it hard and wide of deep square leg. Nishant Sindhu slides to his left in the deep but in vain.

SIX! Quality hit! And just like that, the 50 is up for RCB in 3.3 overs. Bowled at 155 kph by Rabada, angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Kohli snaps his wrists and whips it with ease over the deep mid-wicket fence.

FOUR! Played squarer this time but the result is the same. A bit shorter than the previous ball and on middle. Kohli gets his hands through and smears it through square leg for four more.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too full, too straight by Rabada, on the pads. Kohli is not going to miss out as he clips it down to the deep fine fence.

Bowled on a shortish length, over middle. Venkatesh Iyer backs away and swings hard for the pull but misses.

FOUR! Not quite short enough to trouble the tall Iyer, and he climbs onto it. Siraj bangs it in short, across off. It comes at shoulder height and Venkatesh stands tall to pull it over mid-wicket for a four.

A bit of nip back into the right-hander and it kicks up a bit too. Kohli advances and taps this good-length ball in front of mid on for a single.

FOUR! Put away! Fractionally short, over middle. Kohli gets on top of the bounce and plays the pull wide of mid-wicket. Not quite from the middle of the bat but the ball has enough legs to reach the fence.

An ugly hoick and Kohli is beaten. Siraj hits the hard length, over middle. Virat shimmies down the track and has a heave across the line but the ball goes over his blade.

FOUR! Kohli is up and running. Not that bad a ball as it initially looked. Siraj serves it on a good length, on middle. Virat makes use of the angle and glances it fine of the man at deep fine leg for a four to open his account.

RCB are well on their way in the chase. A very expensive over from Kagiso Rabada. Also, the physio is in again to check on Venkatesh Iyer, who is down on the ground. His right knee is being heavily taped up. All set to resume now.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count. Rabada taken down for 18 runs in his first over. Kagiso lands it on a short of a good length. Iyer gives the bowler the charge and throws his hands at the ball. It goes behind off an outside edge and over the head of the leaping Jos Buttler. RCB require 133 runs in 108 balls.

A big swing and a miss! KG hits the deck hard and gets a good lift off the deck, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer leaves nothing in the tank as he swings but can only connect with thin air.

FOUR! Hit hard and Shubman Gill at mid off stood no chance. This is on a length by Rabada, in line with the off stump. Venkatesh makes room again and spanks it with a horizontal bat, well wide of mid off to his left. Iyer pulls up after playing the shot but he is doing a fine job of proving RCB with a quick start.

SIX! Picked up beautifully. Rabada pitches it up, on the pads. Iyer moves a bit towards the leg side and picks it up off the pads. He sends it beyond the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.

Fine riposte from Rabada! He bashes the hard length and gets the ball to climb onto the batter. Iyer gets on his toes to play the late dab but is beaten for pace.

FOUR! Nicely done! Rabada begins with a full and this is pushed across the left-hander. Venkatesh backs away and opens up the off side. A lovely extension of the arms and he carves it over point for the first four of the chase.

Kagiso Rabada to share the attack.

Curving back into the pads, Venkatesh clips this full ball through square leg and hobbles to the other end.

Halt! Venkatesh Iyer has signalled for the physio who is running onto the field now. Looks like he is having some discomfort in his right knee. He takes in some painkillers and is good to go again.

Siraj hurls it on middle and leg and keeps it on a length. A bit of a late swing back into the batter. Iyer pushes at the ball with hard hands. It races down to deep fine leg off an inside edge, where Arshad Khan is a bit square and he cannot prevent the batters from coming back for the second. Siraj is not happy one bit and feels Khan should have done better there. To be fair to Arshad, the second run was always on.

Bowled on a length, around middle and leg. Iyer swings hard to go big on the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and Siraj walks up and chirps at the batter.

My word, that was not far away from crashing into the stumps. Siraj pushes the length up. Iyer walks across the stumps towards the off side for the scoop but fails to connect and the ball swings just past the leg pole.

Leg bye! Slanting in at the pads, Kohli leans across to play the tickle but fails to lay any bat on it. The ball drops beside the strip on the leg side off the pads and the batters cross over.

Iyer and RCB are away straight away. Siraj attacks the stumps with a good-length ball. A hint of shape back into the left-hander. Venkatesh punches it on the up back towards Siraj, who leaps and gets a hand on it. It dribbles down to the right of mid on for a single.

A couple of runs to finish, and Gujarat Titans muster up a total of 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs. A low full toss on off, dips as well. Kagiso Rabada lunges and chips the drive wide of long off, picking up two easy runs. Rasikh Salam ends with 3 for 27 as 10 runs come off the final over, along with a wicket.

FIFTY for Washington Sundar, it's been a lone hand from him, but a solid one as well. Fullish length outside off, Sundar goes deep in the crease, gets low and smacks it to deep cover for just a single.

Rabada does manage to turn the strike over this time around. Full and wide outside off, squeezed past the point region for a single.

Can't get it through! Full and on off, Kagiso Rabada drills it straight back to the bowler. Dot.

Into the tail now. Washington Sundar is still stranded at the other end. Kagiso Rabada is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rasikh Salam gets instant revenge on Rashid Khan. A well-directed bumper from Rasikh, right at the batter. Rashid gets cramped for room and still goes through with the big hook shot, ending up mistiming it down to deep square leg. Romario Shepherd, with those bucket hands of his, takes it comfortably, and Rasikh has three wickets in the Final.

SIX! Walloped down the ground and the 150 comes up for GT as well. Slower one, back of a length and outside off. Rashid Khan picks it early, makes room and slams it down the ground for a six.

Can Rasikh Salam keep GT under 155?

Good-length delivery, angling across the off stump. Washington Sundar cuts it away to the right of deep point and picks up a couple of runs. GT are 145/7 with one over to go.

That's a top delivery. Yorker-length, just outside off. Sundar digs it out onto the deck.

Fullish length, in and around off, Rashid Khan leans on and pushes it through point for one.

Rashid Khan comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets the length spot-on and joins Kagiso Rabada on 28 wickets, equalling the record for most wickets this season. A surprise bumper from Bhuvi, not all that quick at 130 clicks, but it comes in over the front shoulder. Jason Holder looks to take it on but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head. Josh Hazlewood at short third calls for it and Jitesh Sharma leaves it alone. Josh pouches it safely and GT are 7 down.

Pitched very full and on off, Sundar punches it down to long off and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Fine placement from Sundar. Back of a length, on off, sits up for the batter. Sundar plays a short-arm jab and nails it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Will it be Rasikh Salam or Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the penultimate over? It will be Bhuvi.

FOUR! The extra ball does cost RCB dearly. Hazlewood looks for the yorker on off, but misses his mark. Jason Holder hangs deep, gets under the flight of the ball and pummels it flat over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Length again, drifting down leg again. Sundar tucks it through backward square leg and picks up a single.

WIDE! Hard length, slipped down leg, Sundar awkwardly looks to tuck it away but misses. There is half an appeal for a caught behind, and RCB take a review. The third umpire is called in, and UltraEdge shows that the ball is nowhere near the bat or the glove.

FOUR! Oh, a valiant effort, but not quite enough to stop the boundary. Full on leg, clipped away with stellar timing from Sundar and to the left of deep mid-wicket. Kohli sprints across the turf, dives in and tries to flick it back, but he flicks it onto the ropes.

Shortish length again, at the batter. Holder gets into a side-on stance and pulls it wide of Rasikh Salam at short fine leg. However, there is a fielder at deep backward square leg and it will just be a single.

Just back of a length, on middle, flicked away through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Poor line from Josh. Slower and shorter, but down leg. Sundar gets inside the line and manages to get enough bat on it to take it very fine towards deep fine leg for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl his final over now.

Length ball around off, Sundar looks to get forward and punch it through cover, but gets it off the inner half of the blade towards mid on for a single. 6 runs and a wicket off that over.

Looking for two, and they get it with ease. Pace off from Rasikh, just short of a good length, Sundar nudges it into the huge vacant space at square leg and jogs back for the second run.

Back of a length, wide outside off. Holder hangs back and just eases it through the point region for one more.

Pace on this time, full and straight. Washington Sundar clips it across to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

No hat-trick! Slower one again, pitched full and outside off. Jason Holder just strokes it on the up and gets it down to long off for a single.

The next batter in is Jason Holder.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just like Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam too strikes on his first ball after returning to the attack. Rasikh comes in from around the wicket, serves the ball a touch full and just outside off. It is the slower one and Rahul Tewatia is through the heave a bit too early. Tewatia clubs it high over mid on, where Rajat Patidar back-pedals and takes it safely. Wicket number 18 of the season for Rasikh. He is on a hat-trick, having struck on the last ball of his previous over. GT are reeling at 115/6.

Bowling change. Rasikh Salam (2-0-11-1) is back on.

Very full, nearly a yorker, on off. Tewatia looks to force it down the ground but this comes off the toe end. It goes down to long on for just a single.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Bhuvneshwar Kumar goes into the surface at 132.1 kph, over middle. Tewatia arches back and rises with the bounce. He gets his hands up around his head to play the upper cut over the keeper for a boundary.

Goes fuller now, on off. Sundar strokes it to long off and picks up a single.

Two is the call and they get it. Pushed across on a back of a length. Sundar stays back in his crease and gets on top of the bounce before punching it to the left of deep point for two more runs.

Dug in short again, closer to the off stump this time. Washington hops and drags the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

Begins with the short ball, across off. Sundar initially shapes up to go after it but eventually bails out as he drops his wrists.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The Titans are grasping at straws right now and will need a big finish to put some sort of a defendable score on the board. Washington Sundar has faced 21 balls and he will be crucial for GT. The likes of Tewatia and those who come after him will have to go after the bowling, because 140 odd just won't cut it. On the other hand, RCB will keep targeting wickets, as we have seen the momentum shift late in the game when teams with wickets in hand are able to just hit their way out of trouble. Let's find out how this first innings ends. Also, Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack.

Cross-seam ball, stays on the shorter side, over off. Sundar lifts his front leg and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket. He keeps the strike with a single. End of a successful over for Hazlewood and RCB. A wicket and 6 runs off the over.

Hits the deck hard and gets it high enough around the left shoulder. Tewatia pivots and eases the pull behind square leg for a run.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Washington runs it down to deep third with an open bat face. They cross.

Untidy from Rajat Patidar! On top of off, on a short of a length. Sundar taps it to the left of mid off with a straight bat, where Patidar lets it through his legs and the batters sneak in the second run.

At the sticks, bowled on a good length. Tewatia nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single. The 100 is up for the Gujarat Titans.

Jacob Duffy is substituted by Venkatesh Iyer

GT have lost half of their side now. That brings Rahul Tewatia to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sensing the Gujarat Titans beginning to build a bit of momentum, Rajat Patidar turns to his trusted man, and Hazlewood delivers immediately. Josh bends his back and digs it in short, directs it at the batter. Arshad swivels for the pull, but is cramped, and the ball also gets big on him. It goes straight up off the shoulder of the bat and only as far as short fine leg, where Rasikh Salam takes the simplest of catches.

Jacob Duffy seemed to be signalling the Impact Player sign to the umpire, and we might see him go off the field now. Yes, RCB do exercise that option and bring on Venkatesh Iyer for Duffy. Also, Josh Hazlewood (2-0-15-1) is back on.

Off-cutter, on a good length, on off. Sundar waits on the back foot and knocks it straight to extra cover. 16 runs off the over. 26 off the last 2. A good little phase in the game for the Titans. End of a wicketless outing for Duffy.

Slower, short ball, on middle. Khan mistimes the pull in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Duffy pushes the length up, across the left-hander. Arshad holds the bat high on the handle and just swings through the line by clearing his front leg. He pumps it back towards the sight screen for a biggie.

Pace off now by Duffy. This is on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Sundar glances it wide of short fine leg and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Edged away! Going away from over the wicket, on a good length. Sundar's feet go nowhere and he pushes at the ball away from his body. The ball takes the outside edge and flies well wide of Jitesh Sharma to his left.

FOUR! Nice shot! Duffy digs it in short, around off. Sundar stands tall and gets on top of the bounce. He rolls his wrists to control the pull and plays it past mid-wicket for a boundary.

Jacob Duffy to bowl out as well...

Keeps it short and on leg, Washington works it square on the leg side and keeps the strike with a single.

Nearly sneaked through! This is bowled by Krunal by getting a bit low and with a round-arm action. Pushed through, on a nagging length, on middle. Arshad just about manages to stab it down to the left of the bowler. They cross.

SIX! Clean strike! Fired across the left-hander, full in length. Khan stays back and with a clean swing of the arms, he clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. This is the first six of the game, which tells you how tough it has been for GT tonight.

Slower and shorter, on middle and leg. Sundar turns it through square leg and gets to the other end.

Uppish but safe! Krunal drops it a bit short, on middle and leg. The ball stops on Arshad, who hangs back to deal with it. Chips it uppishly towards mid-wicket, where Rajat Patidar dives to his right but the ball drops out of his reach. Single taken.

What a time to strike, and GT lose another star batter. With that said, Arshad Khan walks out to bat next. Surprising move from GT.

OUT! STUMPED! Krunal Pandya gets the prized scalp. He is charged up as he lets out a big roar. Krunal perhaps spotted Buttler stepping out and he fires in a wide yorker from around the wicket. Jos is made to reach out but the ball sneaks under the blade. Jitesh Sharma does well to get low to his right and gathers the ball cleanly before whipping the bails off in a flash. There was a touch of twitchiness about Jos Buttler, and over the last couple of overs, he had begun to show clear signs of wanting to force the pace. Gujarat Titans are 73/4 now.

Krunal Pandya to bowl out now.

Hits the deck hard again, on middle and leg, gets it to jag back in. Jos Buttler gets tucked up and fails to flick it away. It goes off his pads towards point as the batters take a leg bye.

Hard length and into the body of the batter, Washington Sundar helps it towards fine leg for one more.

Slower again, short and on middle, Jos Buttler makes a bit of room and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. The batters are not able to find the gaps at the moment.

Pace off, dug into the surface, on middle, Washington Sundar waits for it and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Short of a length and on middle, Jos Buttler backs away and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Washington Sundar stabs it towards mid off for a single.

Quicker, full and around off, Jos Buttler drags it off the inside half of the bat wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace. First signs of aggression from Buttler.

Short again and on leg, Washington Sundar nudges it to the leg side for one.

Drops it short and around off, Washington Sundar punches it to extra cover.

Flatter, full and on off, Jos Buttler drives it to long off for a single.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Jos Buttler looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge along the ground to the left of the bowler.

Flighted, full and on middle, Jos Buttler knocks it back to the bowler.

Halfway through the first innings. Krunal Pandya to continue. The lowest total successfully defended in an IPL final is 129, informs Harsha Bhogle.

Massive scare avoided for GT! Jacob Duffy bowls a well-directed bumper, on middle and leg. Washington Sundar gets inside the line of it to hook but gets cramped up. It goes off the top edge towards fine leg, where the sub fielder, Jordan Cox runs a long way to his front and dives forward to grab the catch. He is pretty confident and the RCB players start celebrating, with Sundar walking back. However, the third umpire is called to check the fairness of the catch. The replay shows that there is a split between Cox's fingers and the ball is on the ground, which convinces the third umpire to give the decision in favour of the batter. Sundar has been called back, but Rajat Patidar does not seem happy with the call.

Taken cleanly? RCB are celebrating, but Washington Sundar has been asked to wait. The ball appears to burst through Jordan Cox's hands as he dives forward, and some part of the ball is in contact with the turf. Ball on the ground, says the third umpire. NOT OUT flashes on the big screen, much to the delight of the GT fans.

Pitched up and on middle and leg, holds up in the surface. Jos Buttler goes through the shot a bit early and chips it towards long on for one.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Washington Sundar swivels and pulls it away on two bounces to deep square leg for another run.

Good length and around off, Jos Buttler opens the bat face and guides it through cover-point for a run.

Touch fuller and on the pads, Washington Sundar flicks it away to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length and on off, Washington Sundar gets on his toes and pats it towards mid off.

STRATEGIC BREAK! So far, so good from RCB. The excellent work done in the Powerplay has been carried through the middle overs by Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam. It is a real test for the GT middle order on the biggest night of the season. Jos Buttler has taken his time to settle in, but how long before he looks to shift gears, or does Washington Sundar take on the aggressor's role? You feel the Titans will need at least 180 to stand a chance against this power-packed RCB batting line-up. Jacob Duffy returns to the attack. He gave away 13 runs in his opening over.

Drops it short again and just outside leg, Washington Sundar works it through square leg for one. Another tidy over from Pandya!

Slows it up, full and on off, Washington Sundar turns it away to short mid-wicket.

Pushed through quicker, keeps the length short and on the pads, Jos Buttler nudges it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Drags his length back, on middle and leg, Washington Sundar flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for a run. Gets off the mark in the final.

Flatter, full and on leg, Jos Buttler tucks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Floated, short and on off, Jos Buttler stays back and stabs it to short cover.

Nishant Sindhu's scratchy stay comes to an end now. One left-hander replaces the other. Here's Washington Sundar.

OUT! CAUGHT! The pressure was mounting, and Nishant Sindhu perishes as he tries to up the ante. Rasikh Salam bashes the shorter length and angles the ball back into the batter. Sindhu charges down the track and drags the pull flat and hard towards long on. He ends up hitting it straight down the throat of the fielder in the deep and Devdutt Padikkal makes no mistake. GT are now 55/3.

Just back of a length, slanted back in from outside off, Sindhu punches it off the back foot but can't get it through the cover region.

Good work in the deep from Tim David. Fractionally short, pulled off the back foot and between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. David, from deep mid-wicket, runs to his left and dives in to save a couple of runs for his side.

Banged in halfway down the pitch, outside off as well. Buttler has to really reach for it and he ends up dragging the pull in front of mid-wicket for just another single.

Chipped in the air, but well safe. Back of a length, angled into the batter. The ball just stops on Nishant Sindhu and he ends up checking his shot, chipping the ball over the vacant mid on region for a single.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Buttler cuts it square past point and picks up a single.

Just five singles off Pandya's first over. Pushed through flatter, on off and this is punched away to extra cover.

A bit more floated up, on the pads, and worked away to deep mid-wicket for a run. 50 UP FOR GT.

Flighted delivery, full on middle and leg. Sindhu leans on and eases it down to long on for yet another single.

Oh, a direct hit might have been close. Drifted down leg, Jos Buttler clips it straight to short fine leg and sets off for the single.

Fuller now, angled across the left-hander. Sindhu plays a lovely cover drive but there's a man in the deep and it will just be another single.

Length ball, darted into the pads. Buttler presses back and works it around the corner on the leg side for one.

Is it time for some spin? Right on cue, the ball has been handed to Krunal Pandya.

A dot to end, and GT are 45/2 after the Powerplay. Good length, around off, punched away straight to covers.

FOUR! Down the wrong line and put away with ease. A bit slower, into the deck and angled into the hips. Nishant Sindhu shovels it up and over short fine leg and picks up a boundary.

An opportunity missed here by Buttler. Full toss on middle, around knee height and Buttler only manages to pat it down to mid on for a run.

Shortish length, in and around off, Nishant Sindhu smacks it flat through square covers but straight to the man in the deep and collects a single.

Drags the length back a bit, does Rasikh, angling it in over off and middle. Sindhu gets on his toes and drops it back onto the deck.

On the money to begin with. Rasikh comes around the wicket to the left-hander and targets the top of off. Sindhu solidly blocks it off.

Rasikh Salam will bowl the final over of Powerplay. In Qualifier 1 against the Titans, he picked up two wickets in his first over.

Oh, that's feisty from big Josh. He grunts and serves a bumper, directed right at the batter. Buttler looks to get forward but has to adjust quickly and ducks under it well. GT are 39/2 after 5.

Back of a length, at nearly 145 clicks and over middle. Buttler hops back and nurdles it towards mid-wicket.

Jumping off a good length, around off, guided down to deep third for a single by Sindhu.

FOUR MORE! Should have been stopped by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Fullish length, just outside off. Sindhu waits well and plays a late dab to the left of a wide short third, where Bhuvi lets it through for another boundary.

FOUR! That will give Sindhu some confidence. Good length, but there's room outside the off stump. Nishant Sindhu goes hard at it and scythes it over the point region for a boundary.

Excellent length. A smidge fuller, darted across middle and leg. Nishant Sindhu leans on and pushes it down to mid off.

FOUR! A rare loose ball by Bhuvneshwar and Buttler is underway. Sliding onto the pads, on a length. Buttler tickles it fine down to the deep fine leg fence. Opens his account with a boundary.

A mix-up but no harm done! Angled in at the pads, Buttler clips it wide of mid-wicket. Nishant Sindhu is halfway through the run before being sent back. The fielder has a shy at the bowling end but the throw is wide and Nishant gets home.

RCB's big guns with the ball are firing on all cylinders right now. Jos Buttler walks in with both of GT's openers back in the hut.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! First Gill and now Sudharsan, both GT openers back in the hut inside 4 overs. Just the kind of start RCB would have wanted. Bhuvneshwar sticks to the short ball and this is angled across. Sudharsan was better off leaving this alone, as it seemed to be going over his head. Still, Sai gets his bat high over his head to drag it away but he fails to get on top of the bounce. A top edge is found, and it goes straight up in the fine leg region, a few meters beyond the inner circle. The keeper, Jitesh Sharma sprints to his right, keeps his eyes on the ball and holds onto it. GT are now 2 down for 26.

Banged in short by Bhuvi, on off. Sudharsan drops his wrists and sways away.

At 138.8 kph, on a short of a length, on top of off. Sai is hurried again as he taps it down the deck. One hand comes off the bat handle but he manages to keep hold of the bat.

Bhuvi serves it on a back of a length, over off. Sudharsan lets the ball come to him and wrists it past mid-wicket. Rasikh Salam gets around to his right in the deep and keeps the batters down to a couple.

Angled across, on the shorter side. Sindhu hangs back and guides it to backward point.

Hurls it on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Sai nurdles it behind square leg and crosses over.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere. At 145.3 kph, skidding off the deck, on a short of a length, on off. Sudharsan swivels for the pull but is rushed and the ball catches him high on the bat. It balloons down the strip but well away from the bowler to his right.

Full and on off. Sindhu lunges and angles it wide of point for a quick single.

What a big moment so early in the game. Nishant Sindhu walks out to bat at number 3 now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Josh Hazlewood lands a big blow as he sends the GT skipper packing. Seam-up ball, bowled on a short of a length, just outside the off stump. Gill is half-forward as he attempts the short-arm jab. It is skied off the bottom half of the blade back over the bowler's head. Jacob Duffy at mid on was in a better position to take the catch but for some reason, he did not commit himself to the catch. Rajat Patidar goes after it from mid off by running to his right and extends his hands to take a good catch. Gujarat Titans are 22/1 after 2.2 overs.

FOUR! Hit with real authority. Perhaps Hazlewood spotted Gill coming down the track and this is dug in short, following the batter. Shubman is a bit cramped but still manages to pull it over mid-wicket. One bounce and over the ropes.

Time for an early bowling change? Yes! Josh Hazlewood comes in to replace Jacob Duffy.

Goes past the bat! Pushed across the left-hander and the length is fuller than the previous ball. Sai has a slight fiddle at the ball and is beaten on the angle.

Bhuvneshwar hits the top of off. Shubman dances down the track and stays leg side to slap it to deep point for a single.

Fractionally wide, not that short for the cut. Gill goes for it and the ball goes off the toe end to short third.

FOUR! Class written all over it. Moving back in the air, on a good length, on off. Gill walks into the shot and drives it on the up to the right of cover for his first boundary.

Beaten! In the channel on off, on a back of a length. Gill hangs back to deal with it and presents a straight bat. The ball lands and goes away to beat the GT skipper on the outside edge.

A hint of away shape first up for Bhuvi. Wobble seam ball, on a good length. Gill leans on to stroke it through the off side but the ball nips back a touch and Shubman miscues it off the inner half towards mid-wicket.

Angled in at the pads, Gill works this length ball behind square leg and opens his account with a single. A positive start for the Titans with 13 runs coming off the first over.

This is turning out to be a long first over from Duffy. 12 off the over, with one delivery to go.

Wide! After the first couple of balls, Duffy has lost his radar. Drifts down leg, bowled on a length. Gill fails to help it away.

On a length, angled across the left-hander. Sai dabs it through point and rotates the strike.

Wide! Floated up, fuller and down leg. Sudharsan misses out on the tickle.

Given caught behind but successfully overtuned! GT breathe a sigh of relief. Duffy bends his back and digs it in short, down leg. Sai stays inside the line and swivels to pull it behind square leg but misses. The keeper, Jitesh Sharma moves to his right and snaffles it before going up in an appeal. The finger is raised, but Sai Sudharsan takes the review immediately and looks fairly confident. Flat line on the UltraEdge and the on-field decision gets overturned.

FOUR! Nothing wrong with the ball. A shot of high quality from Sudharsan. Across off and full in length. Sai springs onto the front foot and drives it all along the ground between cover and mid off. Played in the gap and it races away.

FOUR! Sudharsan and the Titans are up and running. Duffy gets the ball to swing back in but he starts around the leg stump line, on a good length. It drifts further down leg and Sai glances it neatly down to the deep fine leg fence for the first four of the final.

Jacob stays full and the line is just outside the off stump. Sudharsan presses forward and eases the drive towards the man at mid off.

Bang on the money! Duffy steams in from over the wicket and goes full in search of swing. This is on middle with a hint of inward shape. Sudharsan brings his bat out in front and knocks it to mid on.

All in readiness now for the game to begin. The two umpires are the first ones out in the middle, followed by the players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan punch their fists as they walk out to open the innings for Gujarat Titans. It will be Jacob Duffy who will take the new ball ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, very interesting. There's a slip in place to begin with. Let's play...

Bring on the finale! The match is about to start, but first, the two sets of players make their way out in the middle and line up for the Indian national anthem.

Impact sub options for GT - Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra and Sai Kishore.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan (In for Sai Kishore) and Mohammed Siraj.

Impact sub options for RCB - Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chouhan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh and Jordan Cox.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy and Rasikh Salam.

The captain of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that he would have actually batted first as it looks like a good wicket, and will look to put runs on the board in the final. He reckons that there could be some purchase for the pacers early on, but it will settle down after that. Gill mentions that the players are excited for the final and are eager to play at the largest stadium in the world. Ends by informing that Arshad Khan comes back in for Sai Kishore.

The skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says that it's a pretty good wicket. Adds that the ball will come nicely onto the bat, but it won't change much in 40 overs, so they want to get them as early as possible. Patidar mentions that it brings back memories from last year's final, but it is 2026 now, and they have to play their best cricket to get over the line. Says that he loves to play here because of the crowd. Informs that they are unchanged.

TOSS - Time for the all-important flip of the coin. Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill are out to the middle, joined by former India pacer and match referee Javagal Srinath. Ravi Shastri gets the Ahmedabad crowd roaring and belts out the introductions. 'Heads' is the call from Shubman Gill, but it has come down as a Tail. That sends the RCB faithful into a frenzy as Rajat Patidar wins the toss​​​​. Royal Challengers Bengaluru opt to BOWL first.

GT's English maestro is down for a chat - Jos Buttler says that most of the guys growing up in India are used to the pressure, but it is a final, and they will try to enjoy the moment and also focus on the cricket. On whether pressure is a privilege, he says that potentially it is, but playing against big teams in front of big crowds, you need to lean into that pressure and perform. On their top three, Buttler says that they have done well, but it is not just about their top order or the bowling, and there's immense trust and belief in the whole squad. He finishes by saying that they do know the conditions better than the opposition, but has a chuckle that it might not be a home crowd for them tonight.

A word from last year's man of the final - RCB's Krunal Pandya says that it's been good for him so far in the finals, and hopefully, he continues that consistency. Mentions that the pressure is much higher in these games, which he likes, so he can keep his nerves calmer and execute whichever skill is required at that moment. Pandya shares that he enjoys this kind of atmosphere. You play the sport to be in such big games, in front of over 100,000 people. You work hard as a team for 2 and a half months, and you have one game to play for the trophy, which is pretty exciting. On being called favourites, he says that that's what everyone else speaks about, but he has realised with his 11 years of experience in the league that nothing comes easy. You have to grind for every run, every ball, every wicket and every game. So, regardless of being favourites or underdogs, you have to execute your plans on that particular day. Says the beauty of this league is that every team has match-winners who can win a game on their own on any day, so you have to be on your A-game from ball one to the last ball. Krunal admits that having a couple of more days rest than the opponents in a final is an advantage, but also says that the way they have been playing, their fitness levels are top-notch, and it is all about executing their skills out there on the field.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop and Aaron Finch are down at the pitch, both looking resplendent in traditional Indian attire. Bishop informs us that pitch number 6 will be used for the summit clash, resulting in equidistant square boundaries of 66 metres. Finch points out that the surface is a mix of red and black soil, which should make for a very good batting wicket. There is an even covering of grass across the pitch, although he feels it could be slightly on the slower side. He also does not expect much turn due to the soil composition. As for the fast bowlers, Ian does not anticipate anything vastly different from what we have seen in Ahmedabad this season. He expects pacers to operate heavily in the 6-8 metre zone. Aaron feels that chasing is the way to go, expecting the surface to get better for batting as the game progresses.

The toss conundrum - The chasing side has won 8 out of the 9 meetings between GT and RCB, but IPL finals have historically favoured teams setting a target, with 10 of the 18 title clashes going the way of the side batting first. This season, both teams have enjoyed greater success while chasing with 6 wins batting second compared to 4 while defending totals.  At the same time, runs on the board proved decisive in two of the three playoff matches this season. It will be interesting to see which way the captain winning the toss leans and what factors ultimately shape that decision. Stay tuned, as the flip of the coin is not far away.

The hard road home - Gujarat's path to the final has been considerably more demanding. After navigating the longer playoff route, inclement weather delayed their travel, with the squad only arriving in Ahmedabad late on Saturday night. Yet the Titans will take comfort from being back on home turf. They can also draw confidence from a favourable historical trend, with teams finishing second on the points table going on to win the IPL title on 9 of the 15 occasions since 2011.

Rested and ready - Finishing at the top of the standings, Bengaluru punched their ticket to the final at the first time of asking with a dominant performance in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday. The reward was not just a place in the title clash but also valuable time to rest, recover and train in Ahmedabad ahead of the season's biggest game. History offers further encouragement. Every Qualifier 1 winner since 2018 has gone on to lift the IPL trophy, and RCB will be looking to keep that streak alive.

It all comes down to this - Hello and welcome, one and all. The night of reckoning has arrived as Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans go head-to-head for IPL glory at the grand stage of the Narendra Modi Stadium. Everything these two teams have built towards over the past two months and more comes down to one final contest, with the trophy now within touching distance. For all the talk of treating it like just another game and keeping emotions in check, there is no escaping the magnitude of the occasion. More than skill, this is a test of temperament. Whichever side handles the pressure better over the next few hours will be crowned champions.

... MATCH DAY ...

The final frontier - Ten teams dared to dream when the journey began on March 28. 73 matches later, eight have fallen by the wayside, some with a fight and others without warning. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans are the last two standing, one win away from glory. For RCB, it is the chance to become only the third team after Chennai Super Kings (2010 and 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019 and 2020) to successfully defend an IPL title. For GT, it is an opportunity to reclaim a trophy they last lifted in 2022. A stage built for finals - The venue itself deserves a mention. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a colosseum in every sense of the word, will host its fourth IPL final in five seasons. The Titans have experienced both ecstasy and heartbreak on this ground. It was here that they lifted their maiden title in 2022, and here again a year later that they were denied back-to-back crowns by Chennai Super Kings in a last-ball classic. The Royal Challengers, meanwhile, have happier recent memories. It was at this very venue that they finally ended their long wait for silverware, defeating Punjab Kings in last year's final to clinch their maiden IPL title. Champions responding like champions - Royal Challengers Bengaluru began the season carrying the unfamiliar but coveted tag of defending champions, and they have worn it remarkably well. They were the first side to secure a playoff berth and eventually finished atop the table with 18 points, level with the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad but ahead on net run rate. Then came Qualifier 1, where RCB did not just win, they made a statement. Their 254/5 against Gujarat became the highest total in IPL playoff history before they ran riot with the ball to seal a place in the final. Kohli setting the tone - At the heart of everything Bengaluru have done with the bat is Virat Kohli. Their former captain has brought up 600 runs for the fourth consecutive IPL season. More than the volume of runs, it is the intent that has stood out. His strike rate has jumped from 144.71 last season to 164.38 this year, reflecting the fearless approach that has become a hallmark of this RCB side. Devdutt Padikkal has rediscovered his T20 game as an aggressor and, for the first time since 2021, he has crossed the 400-run mark in an IPL season. Rajat Patidar, meanwhile, has enjoyed the most productive IPL season of his career. His 486 runs have come alongside the added responsibility of captaincy, yet neither aspect of his game has suffered. If anything, Patidar has thrived under the pressure, epitomised by his unbeaten 93 in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat. The Salt dilemma - Heading into the final, RCB's biggest selection call revolves around Phil Salt. The England opener returned home for scans after suffering a finger injury, opening the door for Jacob Bethell and later Venkatesh Iyer. While Bethell struggled to make an impact, Iyer grabbed his opportunity and quickly made the role his own. Salt is back with the squad, but he has not played since April 18 and bringing him back into the XI would disrupt an opening combination that has served them well during the business end of the tournament. Experience leading the attack - RCB's bowling success this season has been built around the consistency and control of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who continues to age like fine wine. His 26 wickets are the joint-most in a single IPL season for him, matching the haul he managed with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017. Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam have provided solid support, while Krunal Pandya has once again proven a reliable middle-overs operator. On surfaces that have offered assistance to the seamers, RCB have often opted to field both Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy, and it will be interesting to see how they structure their attack for the summit clash. One concern for the defending champions remains the sixth bowling option. Romario Shepherd has gone at 11.92 runs per over this season, and if GT can successfully target one of RCB's five frontline bowlers, they may be able to force Rajat Patidar into turning to that weaker link. Peaking at the right time - Gujarat's path to the final has been far from straightforward. With just three wins in the first half of the league stage, their campaign was in danger of slipping away. Instead, the Titans found their rhythm at the perfect time, winning 6 of their next 7 matches, including a five-game winning streak that helped secure a top-two finish. That top-two finish ultimately proved invaluable. After being comprehensively beaten by RCB in Qualifier 1, Gujarat were afforded a second chance. The Titans grabbed it with both hands, defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to book their place in a third final in five seasons. Gill and Sudharsan at the wheel - Much of the discussion around Gujarat before the season centred on their reliance on the top three. If anything, the season has only reinforced that belief. Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill have combined to score 51.4 per cent of Gujarat's runs this season, with both batters crossing the 700-run mark. In 15 innings this season, the pair have stitched together four century stands and two half-century partnerships, most recently combining for a match-winning 167-run opening stand against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Jos Buttler has also played his part, registering four fifties this season, while Washington Sundar has shown glimpses of promise with the bat. RCB will know that if they can make early inroads into Gujarat's top three, as they did in Qualifier 1, they will have gone a long way towards winning the final. That perhaps remains the biggest question hanging over the Titans. Their top order has carried them for much of the season, but if it falters on the biggest night of all, can the likes of Sundar, Jason Holder and Rahul Tewatia absorb the pressure and rescue the innings? Pace powering the Titans - GT's success with the ball has been driven by their seamers. Their pace attack has claimed 90 wickets this season, comfortably the most in the competition, with RCB next on the list with 74. Kagiso Rabada has been the spearhead of that attack and arrives at the final as the Purple Cap holder. His 28 wickets leave him just two short of a second 30-wicket IPL campaign, having previously reached that milestone in 2020 with Delhi Capitals when he helped them reach the final. This time around, he will be hoping for a happier ending. Ahmedabad has been particularly kind to the South African. 17 of his 28 wickets have come at this venue. Alongside him, Mohammed Siraj has picked up 18 wickets this season, with 11 of them coming in Ahmedabad. Siraj experienced discomfort in his right shoulder during Qualifier 2 but managed to complete his full quota of overs. With less than 48 hours between Qualifier 2 and the final, Gujarat will be hoping he has one last push left in him. More than just Rabada and Siraj - After an underwhelming period leading into the tournament, Rashid Khan has rediscovered much of his old rhythm. Although he has endured a couple of expensive outings in recent games, the Afghan leg-spinner remains a key weapon for GT in the middle overs. Jason Holder's arrival has added another dimension to the attack. The towering West Indian has repeatedly provided breakthroughs after the powerplay, complementing the work done by Rabada and Siraj with the new ball. Form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - RCB - WLWWW | GT - WLWLW. Not the Ahmedabad of old - Out of the 99 wickets to fall in the 7 matches played in Ahmedabad this season, 77 have gone to seamers, underlining just how much assistance the surfaces here have offered the quicks. The scoring trends reinforce that picture. Among venues to have hosted at least five matches this season, Ahmedabad has the second-lowest run rate at 9.03, while the 200-run mark has been crossed only 3 times in 14 innings. That is a stark contrast to 2025, when teams breached 200 on 11 occasions in 18 innings at the venue. Final word - Two teams who have been there, done that. They know what it feels like to be at the summit, but wanting it and winning it have never been the same thing. The match-ups are fascinating wherever you look. Kohli against Rabada. Gill and Sudharsan against Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood. RCB's batting depth against Gujarat's top-order firepower. It all comes down to one final night in Ahmedabad, where one side will leave with the trophy and the other with only what might have been. May the best team win.