Former IPL stars Aaron Finch and Ambati Rayudu, along with Lucknow Super Giants Director of Cricket Tom Moody, made their predictions for the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 31.
The final will be played at Titans’ home ground Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB entered the final after defeating Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, while GT made the most of their second chance by defeating Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2 on Friday.
Shubman Gill’s century takes GT to IPL 2026 final
At the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, GT defeated Rajasthan Royals to qualify for their third IPL final in just five years of existence as a franchise.
RR’s top order collapsed badly, but “Boss Baby” Vaibhav Suryavanshi kept the momentum going with his third score in the 90s this season. His knock of 96 runs in just 47 balls was the biggest catalyst in the RR innings.
Ravindra Jadeja and Suryavanshi saved wickets from falling early, but Jadeja had to retire hurt due to an elbow injury. He later returned to bat, but the injury rendered him virtually ineffective. After returning from injury, Jadeja scored 12 runs in 19 balls whereas before that he had scored 33 runs in 16 balls.
Donovan Ferriera took the team beyond 200 by scoring 26 runs against Rashid Khan in the last over of the innings.
The GT completed the chase as if it was no challenge. Sai Sudarshan scored 58 runs and shared a 167-run partnership with Gill before being dismissed hit wicket twice in two matches.
Gill scored his second century in the IPL playoffs to lead GT to a comfortable win and book their date with RCB in the IPL 2026 final.
Also read: “Happy to win”: Shubman Gill happy after winning POTM and reaching the final of IPL 2026
Rayudu, Finch and Moody make their predictions
Ambati Rayudu, Aaron Finch and Tom Moody were speaking to ESPN Cricinfo when they were asked to give their predictions for the IPL 2026 final.
Aaron Finch said that both teams had equal chances to win the IPL title and RCB’s all-roundness would be diminished by the fact that GT was playing at home.
“50-50 for me. The top order (GT) is amazing. They play great cricket at home. The fact it is a home final (for GT), I think they have got the advantage. But on paper, RCB is probably a more rounded side. Think about the impact (Rajat) Patidar has made with the bat in the middle order. Tim David has made some important performances. Home conditions (for GT) would have brought it back to 50-50. Are,” Finch said.
Ambati Rayudu was more candid in his assessment and gave a one-line verdict. “I think red clay (pitch), RCB (win), black clay (pitch), GT (win),” he said.
Tom Moody said that RCB not only had a slight advantage due to being a good team, but GT would have been tired from the trip.
“RCB are a better balanced team, I agree with Finchi. The challenge GT has is that they have played constantly and traveled, and that will add up at some point. That pressure will play a role, both physically and mentally,” he said.
GT played the first qualifier in Dharamshala on Tuesday and the second in Mullanpur on Friday. Now they will play the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
____ will win the final of IPL 2026 👀 pic.twitter.com/620DU2wsTE
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 30 May 2026
rcb vs gt in ipl 2026
In the league stage of the tournament, both teams shared the honours. Virat Kohli’s 81 overshadowed Sai Sudarshan’s century in RCB’s win in Bengaluru.
In Ahmedabad, the pace of Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada ensured RCB’s collapse, and GT took its time in the chase.
In Qualifier 1, Rajat Patidar breathed new life into the innings and took RCB past 250. With GT losing five wickets in the powerplay, it was quite a wasteful exercise.
