Who will win IPL 2026 title - RCB or GT? Ashwin makes big prediction

NEW DELHI: As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare for their IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind the defending champions, saying the title is theirs to lose.RCB are on the verge of a historic achievement. Having lifted their maiden IPL trophy last season, they now have the opportunity to become only the third team in tournament history to successfully defend the title. Standing in their way are the Gujarat Titans, who are chasing their second IPL crown after winning the competition in 2022.

RCB have looked the most complete side this season. Under Rajat Patidar's leadership, they topped the league standings and then delivered a statement performance in Qualifier 1, crushing Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to secure a direct berth in the final.The two teams will meet again in Ahmedabad, where Gujarat have enjoyed considerable success throughout the campaign. Despite that home advantage, Ashwin believes RCB have earned the status of favourites through their performances over the course of the season.“The fact that GT are playing at their home ground, and that they’ve dominated there and made it a fortress, is something that’s really going to give them that extra fillip going into the final,” Ashwin told Jio Hotstar.

“For RCB, it doesn’t matter whether they bat or bowl first; it is their final to lose. They are going in as the favourites. Whatever they do, they must not regress or play any less attacking cricket than they have throughout the season,” he added.Gujarat Titans responded strongly to their Qualifier 1 setback by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to book their place in the title clash. Led by Shubman Gill, they have been among the standout teams of the season and will have the backing of a home crowd in Ahmedabad.Ashwin, however, highlighted the contrasting styles of the finalists and suggested that RCB's fearless brand of cricket could prove decisive.“The two teams have very contrasting approaches. RCB have been willing to take that extra risk. They have a team with a few fighters in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who have turned up the heat this season,” he said.While he acknowledged Gujarat's strength at home, Ashwin feels that familiarity with local conditions is the only factor preventing RCB from being overwhelming favourites.“GT’s home ground and their familiarity with those conditions is the only last piece of the puzzle standing between RCB and a second title,” he said.