The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the IPL 2026 season, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) facing Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
With the championship trophy at stake, the tactical contest will centre on the two marquee batsmen from each side: Virat Kohli and GT captain Shubman Gill.
As these two generational talents gear up for a showdown at the world’s largest cricket ground, their previous displays at this venue offer a compelling glimpse of what may unfold.
The Path to the Final: Playoff Masterclasses
Both sides navigated contrasting routes to the championship match, with their star batters delivering decisive contributions under pressure.
In Qualifier 1, RCB posted a dominant performance against GT in Dharamshala, compiling a massive 254/5. Kohli anchored the innings with a solid 43, setting the platform for a crushing 92‑run win that secured a direct berth in the final.
GT faced a sudden‑death Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals to clinch a home final. After chasing a daunting 215, sparked by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 96, Shubman Gill produced a captain’s innings, smashing 104 off just 53 deliveries. The spectacular seven‑wicket triumph not only avenged their earlier loss but also highlighted Gill’s lethal finishing skills in high‑stakes encounters.
Shubman Gill vs Virat Kohli: Records at the Narendra Modi Stadium
Both batsmen boast impressive, yet distinct, records at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Virat Kohli’s Record at Ahmedabad
Kohli’s consistency at Ahmedabad is evident across eight IPL appearances, where he has amassed 276 runs at an average of 46.00 and a strike rate of 137.31, including three half‑centuries with a highest score of 81. He has a particular fondness for the ground, exemplified by a blistering 81 off 44 balls against GT earlier this season, striking at over 180, and an unbeaten 23 off 15 in another recent visit. His ability to both anchor and accelerate makes him a constant threat.
Shubman Gill’s Record at Ahmedabad
For Gill, the Narendra Modi Stadium is nothing short of a fortress. He is the all‑time leading run‑scorer at the venue in IPL history, having become the first player to surpass 1,000 runs there, achieving the milestone in just 20 innings—the second‑fastest to the mark after Chris Gayle. Overall, Gill averages over 60 with a strike rate near 160, boasting three centuries and four fifties, highlighted by a majestic 129 in 2023. His deep familiarity with the pitch’s bounce and dimensions makes him a formidable weapon on his home turf.
With RCB aiming to defend their title and GT aspiring to lift the trophy in front of their home crowd, the IPL 2026 final will undoubtedly hinge on these two heavyweight performers. While Kohli brings unparalleled experience and a recent record of consistency at the venue, Gill’s historic dominance at the Narendra Modi Stadium provides GT with a formidable home advantage.