IPL 2026 Final: RCB opt to bowl first against GT, suspense on Phil Salt ends; Playing XIs revealed

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the all-important Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium on May 31.

RCB didn't tinker with their playing XI for the title clash, while GT made one change to their fold. Arshad Khan came in for Sai Kishore in GT's playing XI.

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What did the captains say at the toss?

RCB captain Rajat Patidar, after winning the toss, said:

"We'll bowl first. (On the surface) It's a pretty good wicket. The ball will come nicely on the bat, but to be honest, it will not change in the 40 overs. So we'll try to get them early as possible. (Mood in the dressing room for the final) A lot of memories last year, but I think it was in 2025. It's 2026. We have to do our best to win this match. (How you hold your nerve?) That's important, to keep yourself in the present, not to be too much far ahead. Let's control the controllables, that's it. (On the support) Always we love to play in this stadium because of the crowd, the way they came and especially the RCB supporters - 12th man army. They came in every stadium and supported us. (Team combination) The same team."

Meanwhile, GT skipper Shubman Gill, after losing the toss, said:

"Gill: (Would you have fielded as well?) No, we would have batted first, honestly. It looks like a good wicket and final game, so hopefully have some runs on the board and put them under pressure. (On the surface) Typical wicket. I think this is our third match we are playing on this wicket. It's been a really good wicket. There could be some movement in the first 2-3 overs for the fast bowlers, but the wicket settles down pretty nicely after that. (How are you feeling?) Feeling, I think the boys are ready to go. We are feeling fresh and we are ready. (On playing at this venue) One of the biggest stadiums in the world, if not the biggest. Always a privilege and a pleasure to play in such a big ground. We've got one change. Arshad (Khan) comes back in for Sai (Kishore)."

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Gujarat Titans (Playing XI):

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj

Gujarat Titans Impact subs: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI):

Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox