Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final.

The decision places RCB in a position to chase a target rather than set one, a strategic move that could determine the outcome of the championship match. This choice is critical as both teams compete for the most prestigious trophy in T20 cricket.

The match is taking place on Sunday, May 31, 2026 [1], at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. By choosing to field, Patidar has opted to let the Gujarat Titans bat first, placing the pressure of setting a competitive total on the opposition.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter the final as defending champions, having secured their first-ever IPL title in 2025 [2]. The team seeks to maintain their dominance in the league by winning back-to-back championships.

Gujarat Titans are facing the defending champions after a history of early success. The franchise entered the IPL in 2022 and managed to win the trophy during their debut season [3]. This final represents another opportunity for the Titans to add a second title to their cabinet.

Strategic decisions during the toss often influence the momentum of a final. By bowling first, RCB can assess the pitch conditions and the exact run rate required to win before they begin their own batting innings. This approach is often preferred by captains who trust their death-bowling capabilities, and their top-order batters to chase under pressure.

“Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first”

The decision to bowl first reflects a modern T20 strategy where teams prefer having a clear target to chase, reducing the uncertainty of the 'unknown' total. For RCB, winning a second consecutive title would solidify their current era of dominance, while a victory for Gujarat Titans would mark a return to the championship form they displayed during their 2022 inception.