IPL 2026 Final: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan and Rajat Patidar feature in five key player battles that could decide the title clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's captain Rajat Patidar and Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill during the toss ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 1 match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final promises a blockbuster showdown as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
While both teams boast explosive batting line-ups and quality bowling attacks, the title could ultimately be decided by a handful of crucial individual contests.
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Here are five key player battles to watch out for in the summit clash:
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Two of the biggest names in world cricket will go head-to-head in what could be the defining battle of the powerplay. Rabada has dismissed Kohli five times in 17 IPL innings, but the former RCB skipper has maintained a strike rate of nearly 144 against the South African quick. If Kohli survives the early challenge, RCB could gain control of the innings.
GT captain Shubman Gill has enjoyed another prolific season, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar has historically had the upper hand in this contest. The veteran seamer has dismissed Gill six times in 14 IPL innings while restricting his scoring rate. An early breakthrough for Bhuvneshwar could put pressure on Gujarat’s formidable top order.
This is one matchup Gujarat Titans will look to exploit. Rashid has dismissed Padikkal five times in just nine IPL innings, with the left-hander managing only 40 runs off 44 deliveries against the Afghan spinner. If Padikkal is at the crease when Rashid comes on, GT could seize a crucial middle-overs advantage.
If anyone has shown an ability to negate Rashid’s threat, it is RCB captain Rajat Patidar. The right-hander has taken the attack to the leg-spinner whenever they have met, scoring 34 runs off just 16 balls at a strike rate above 212, including four sixes. Patidar’s ability to dominate Rashid could prove vital in swinging the contest in RCB’s favour.
Also Read: ‘It’s a normal game’: Rajat Patidar ahead of RCB’s IPL 2026 final against GT
While much attention will be on Kohli’s duel with Rabada, Holder could be Gujarat’s trump card. The West Indian all-rounder has dismissed Kohli four times in 10 innings, including a key wicket in Qualifier 1. However, Kohli has also scored at a strike rate exceeding 184 against Holder, making this an intriguing battle if the veteran batter settles in.
With proven match-winners on both sides, these individual contests could go a long way in determining who lifts the IPL 2026 trophy on Sunday night.
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