IPL final 2026: Virender Sehwag predicts “straight 50-50” contest; Explains why no home advantage for GT

Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Titans in the marquee final of IPL 2026 at Ahmedabad on Sunday. Both RCB and GT, who finished the league stage in top two spots, will look to win their second IPL crown at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag believes the highly anticipated final is too close to call, terming it a “straight 50-50” affair with no clear favorites.

RCB and GT met in the Qualifier 1 for the third time in this season, where the defending champions delivered a statement victory with a 92-run win over GT. After posting a mammoth total of 264, RCB bundled out GT for a mere score of 164. But GT bounced back in style in Qualifier 2 and led by skipper Subhman Gill’s knock of 104, they beat resurgent RR by seven wickets as they chased down a target of 215 in 18.3 overs. RCB will be looking to become only the third side after heavyweights Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Speaking on Cricbuzz’s preview show of the final, the former Indian opener gave high praise to the table-toppers Bengaluru. "The kind of cricket that RCB are playing, and have been playing, has been quite exceptional. According to me, it is a straight 50-50," Sehwag said on the show.

Gujarat Titans have been excellent throughout this season in their home ground with five wins out of seven league stage matches. But the 2022 champions will be stripped of any home advantage as the pitch preparation for the final shifts directly to BCCI curators.

Pointing out to this challenge for the hosts, Sehwag explained, "This is GT's home ground, but because it's a final, they can't make any pitch that they want, so they won't get that advantage. Since it's a final, it will be the BCCI that will prepare the wicket, so it's a level playing field."

For GT, the huge task will be to sustain the momentum from their clinical win in Qualifier 2 over Rajasthan Royals. Sehwag warned that GT cannot afford to let their guard down against a lethal RCB lineup that have been clinical throughout the season in both batting and bowling. "GT will have to play the kind of cricket they did in Qualifier 2 to get the better of RCB in the final," he added.

Both teams have fond memories of the ground. RCB beat Punjab Kings to win their maiden IPL title last year while GT defeated RR to claim the 2022 title at their home venue in their debut season in the competition. Having enjoyed more rest and with the confidence of winning the title in last year, RCB enter the final with a slight advantage.