IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strongest predicted XI against Gujarat Titans

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Sunday, May 31, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The defending champions will be looking to become the third team to successfully retain the IPL title. They have faced the Titans thrice this season and have won two of those encounters. They have been the dominant team in the 2026 season and would like to cap off that run with the trophy. They play their fifth final in the IPL and their second in succession. 

Here is RCB’s strongest predicted XI for the IPL 2026 Final vs GT:

Top order: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal

In the absence of Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer has found himself as the go-to opener for the defending champions, and in the two games he has played at the top, he has scored 44 and 19, both coming at a strike rate of over 230. Opening alongside him is the talismanic Virat Kohli, who has once again been RCB’s highest run-scorer. He scored 43 off 25 balls in Qualifier 1 and has scored 600 runs at a strike rate of 164.38 all season. He has remodelled his game to be able to take the attack to bowlers from the get-go and has struck at 167.5 in the first six overs.

Devdutt Padikkal has been one of the IPL’s most improved players. Batting at number 3, he has looked much assured as he takes on spinners and pacers alike with grace and elegance. He has scored 463 runs at a strike rate of 170.85, being the team’s stable presence at number 3. He has scored three half-centuries this season. 

Middle Order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya

Captain Rajat Patidar has probably been RCB’s most prolific batter. In a middle-order enforcer role, he has scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 196.76, taking the attack to spinners and pacers alike. He is a prolific spin-hitter but has taken his intent up a notch, striking at 210.2 against spin. But what is most noticeable is his whopping 192.6 strike rate against pace bowling. He scored a blistering, unbeaten 33-ball 93 in Qualifier 1. Jitesh Sharma has yet to make a significant contribution with the bat but has been exceptional behind the stumps with gloves in hand.

Tim David has had a fantastic season in IPL 2026 as the finisher, scoring 281 at a strike rate of 193.79. Krunal Pandya saw a promotion up the order against the Titans, scoring a quickfire 43 off 28 balls. He has been Mr Reliable with both bat and ball. He has picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 8.65 and has scored 225 runs, including a match-winning 73 against the Mumbai Indians, which rescued the team in a low-scoring thriller.

Bowlers: Romario Shepherd (Impact), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar 

Romario Shepherd found himself playing as the impact player in Qualifier 1, being used as the sixth bowler. The big West Indies all-rounder has had an underwhelming season with the bat as a finisher. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been RCB’s main strike bowler, picking up 26 scalps at an economy of 8. Of those scalps, 16 have come in the powerplay, as he has looked at his belligerent best with the new ball.

Jacob Duffy made his return to the side as an extra bowling option and picked up figures of 3 for 39 in the Qualifier. He has picked up nine wickets in five games and has been a consistent wicket-taker. Josh Hazlewood has not been at his lethal best but has picked up 13 wickets in 12 games. Rasikh Salam Dar has picked up 16 wickets in 12 games and has filled in brilliantly as the extra seamer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) strongest predicted XI for IPL 2026 Final vs GT

Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar

Impact Player: Romario Shepherd