The build-up to the IPL 2026 final has been dominated by developments away from the pitch, from Gujarat Titans' travel disruption to growing uncertainty around Mumbai Indians' future. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are drawing inspiration from two veterans whose careers have come full circle ahead of the title clash.
Here are the top stories from the IPL today:
1. Storm leaves Gujarat Titans stranded ahead of IPL final
Gujarat Titans' preparations for the IPL 2026 final suffered a major disruption after severe weather delayed their departure from Chandigarh.
Following their Qualifier 2 victory over Rajasthan Royals, GT were scheduled to fly to Ahmedabad on Saturday afternoon. However, heavy storms across north-west India prevented take-off clearance, leaving the team stranded for several hours
and likely to arrive only late on Saturday night.
The delay means Gujarat will have less than 24 hours to prepare for Sunday's final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In contrast, RCB arrived in Ahmedabad earlier in the week and have already completed multiple training sessions.
While both teams enter the final on strong form, the disrupted travel schedule creates an unusual challenge for the Titans ahead of the biggest match of the season.
2. Bengaluru police issue strict advisory ahead of IPL final
Bengaluru police have issued a detailed public advisory ahead of the IPL final, urging fans to celebrate responsibly if Royal Challengers Bengaluru win a second consecutive title.
The advisory follows last year's tragic post-title celebrations, which ended in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives.
Authorities have prohibited public bike rallies, road blockades, dangerous stunts, excessive honking and unauthorised public screenings. Police have also warned against bursting crackers, consuming alcohol in public spaces and sharing inflammatory content on social media.
The measures are aimed at preventing a repeat of last year's chaos while ensuring public safety during any celebrations.
3. Kohli and Bhuvneshwar reunite with unfinished business in IPL final
Ten years after standing on opposite sides of one of the most memorable IPL finals, Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are now united in pursuit of another Royal Challengers Bengaluru title.
Back in 2016, Bhuvneshwar played a crucial role in denying Kohli and RCB their long-awaited championship while representing Sunrisers Hyderabad. A decade later, the two veterans enter the final as key pillars of an RCB side seeking back-to-back titles.
Bhuvneshwar has enjoyed a remarkable late-career resurgence, forming one of the tournament's most effective pace partnerships alongside Josh Hazlewood. Kohli, meanwhile, has continued evolving his game and remains the emotional heartbeat of the franchise.
Their contrasting journeys have now aligned around a common objective: delivering another IPL trophy to Bengaluru.
4. Report claims Mumbai Indians could begin major squad overhaul
Mumbai Indians could be heading toward significant changes after another disappointing season, according to reports emerging from the franchise.
With speculation surrounding Hardik Pandya's future continuing to grow, reports suggest MI are also considering phasing out a senior batter and moving him into a different role within the setup.
The franchise is reportedly evaluating long-term leadership options, with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah all being considered as potential captaincy candidates.
After finishing near the bottom of the table for the second time in three seasons, Mumbai appear ready to begin a broader reset.
5. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's extraordinary season highlights Rajasthan's bargain buy
Even after Rajasthan Royals' elimination, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains one of the defining stories of IPL 2026.
The teenage sensation scored 776 runs in 16 matches, including a century and several match-winning playoff performances, after being retained for just ₹1.10 crore.
His season featured numerous records, including becoming the first teenager to score 400 runs in a single IPL campaign. The 15-year-old's explosive powerplay batting and fearless approach established him as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
With another mega auction looming in the future, Sooryavanshi's value has risen dramatically following a season that exceeded even the highest expectations.
