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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns against the Gujarat Titans (GT)in the final clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on Sunday, May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, GT will have an upper hand over the Rajat Patidar-led side, as they are playing at their home venue.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs RCB to lift IPL 2026 title
However, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has backed the defending champions to successfully retain their title. The former India spinner has noted the advantage held by GT of playing at their home venue but still backed RCB to lift the championship.
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“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," said Ashwin to JioHotstar.
Ashwin urged the Rajat Patidar-led side to continue their attacking approach even in the final game as well, as this method has given them a lot of success throughout the tournament.
"For RCB, it doesn't matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose. They are going in as the favorites. Whatever they do, they must not regress or play any less attacking cricket than they have throughout the season,” added Ashwin.
Golden chance for RCB
RCB won their first IPL title in the 2025 edition by defeating PBKS in the ultimate clash under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar. This season, RCB have earned the golden chance to defend their title and become the third team to win two consecutive IPL titles.
Earlier, the feat was achieved by Chennai Super Kings when they won in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians won two back-to-back titles in the 2019 and 2020 edition of the tournament.
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