Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in the final again. They topped the points table, beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1, and now they head into Sunday’s title clash as defending champions. On paper, they look like the team to beat.
But finals are a different beast altogether. And RCB know that better than most.
How Did Royal Challengers Bengaluru Reach the IPL 2026 Final?
RCB started the season well four wins from their first five games. Then they hit a rough patch in the middle, losing three of their next five. But they found their way back, winning three in a row before losing their last league game to SRH by 55 runs.
That final defeat did not hurt them much though. By chasing down 200 in that game, they confirmed a top-two finish and the right to play Qualifier 1. They finished the league stage with nine wins from 14 matches and 18 points. Their NRR of 0.783 was the best of any team in the competition.
RCB’s Record in IPL Finals
| Matches | Wins | Losses |
| 4 | 1 | 3 |
This is where it gets interesting. RCB have been in four IPL finals and won just one of them. They lost in 2009, 2011 and 2016 before finally ending the wait last year in 2025, beating Punjab Kings at this very ground in Ahmedabad.
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The good news for RCB fans is that Rajat Patidar, the man who led them to that title last year, is doing it again this time. And the final is once again at the Narendra Modi Stadium the same ground where they broke their long wait for IPL glory.
RCB’s Record Against Gujarat Titans
| League Games | Playoffs | |
| Matches | 8 | 1 |
| Wins | 4 | 1 |
| Losses | 4 | 0 |
RCB and GT have met nine times in the IPL since the Gujarat Titans came into the tournament in 2022. RCB leads that head-to-head with five wins and four losses. Their only playoff meeting happened earlier this week in Dharamsala, where RCB absolutely ran through GT, winning by 92 runs.
RCB’s Record at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
| Overall | Playoffs | |
| Matches | 8 | 3 |
| Wins | 4 | 1 |
| Losses | 4 | 2 |
RCB have played eight IPL games in Ahmedabad and split them right down the middle four wins, four losses. In playoffs specifically, their record here is not great. Two losses and one win from three games.
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But that one win was the final. Last year’s IPL title was won right here, and that memory will not be far from anyone’s mind on Sunday.
Can RCB Win Back-to-Back IPL Titles?
The case for RCB is strong. They finished top of the table, they have the best NRR, and they are the defending champions. Their batting lineup is deep and their bowling attack has genuine match-winners.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood with the new ball is a serious threat to any top order. Krunal Pandya has been quietly excellent this season 13 wickets at an economy of 8.64, and he was the Player of the Match in last year’s final against Punjab Kings. And then there is Rasikh Salam, the 26-year-old uncapped pacer who has quietly become RCB’s second-highest wicket-taker this season. He could be the one who causes GT problems in their own backyard.
Going into the final, RCB tick most of the boxes. The defending champions tag, the form, the experience of winning here last year it all points in one direction.
GT will have their say on Sunday evening. But right now, RCB look ready to do it all over again.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Final: Gujarat Titans Record At Narendra Modi Stadium
