The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
With the championship trophy on the line, the tactical battle will heavily revolve around the two marquee batters of both franchises: Virat Kohli and GT skipper Shubman Gill.
As these two generational talents prepare to lock horns at the world's largest cricket stadium, their past performances at this venue provide a fascinating preview of what to expect.
The Road to the Final: Playoff Masterclasses
Both teams took contrasting playoff paths to reach the grand finale, with their star batters playing pivotal roles under immense pressure.
In Qualifier 1, RCB put on a dominant display
against GT in Dharamshala, posting a massive playoff total of 254/5. Virat Kohli set the initial tempo with a solid 43, laying the foundation for a crushing 92-run victory that secured Bengaluru a direct ticket to the final.
GT had to navigate the intense pressure of a sudden-death Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals to secure their home final. Chasing a daunting target of 215 after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 96, Shubman Gill delivered a captain's masterclass. Bouncing back from a quiet Qualifier 1, Gill blasted a breathtaking 104 off just 53 balls, anchoring a spectacular seven-wicket victory and reminding the world of his lethal capabilities in high-stakes chases.
Shubman Gill vs Virat Kohli: Ahmedabad IPL Records Compared
When it comes to the Narendra Modi Stadium, both batters boast highly impressive, yet distinct, track records.
Virat Kohli's Record at Ahmedabad
Kohli brings seasoned consistency whenever he steps onto the pitch in Ahmedabad. In 8 IPL matches at the venue, he has accumulated 276 runs at a highly respectable average of 46.00 and a strike rate of 137.31. He has registered three half-centuries, with his highest score being 81. Kohli has shown a strong liking for this ground in recent seasons, notably smashing a blazing 81 off 44 balls against the Titans striking at over 180 and playing a brisk, unbeaten 23 off 15 balls in another recent appearance. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes him a constant threat.
Shubman Gill's Record at Ahmedabad
For Shubman Gill, the Narendra Modi Stadium is quite simply a fortress. He is the highest run-getter at this venue in IPL history. Earlier, Gill etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to surpass 1,000 IPL runs at the Ahmedabad stadium, reaching the milestone in just 20 innings (the second-fastest to 1,000 runs at a single venue, behind only Chris Gayle).
His overall numbers at this venue are staggering: he averages over 60 with a strike rate hovering around the 160 mark. Gill has notched up three centuries and four half-centuries at this stadium, highlighted by his magnificent 129 in the 2023 season. His deep familiarity with the pitch dimensions and bounce makes him the ultimate weapon on his home turf.
As RCB prepare to defend their title and GT seeks to lift the trophy in front of their home crowd, the IPL 2026 Final will undoubtedly be influenced by these two heavyweights. While Virat Kohli brings unmatched big-match experience and a highly consistent recent track record at the venue, Shubman Gill's historic dominance at the Narendra Modi Stadium gives the Gujarat Titans a terrifying home advantage.
