IPL 2026 Final: Has RCB Gifted GT A Win By Opting To Chase? History Backs The Hosts In Ahmedabad

IPL 2026: RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first, but Gujarat Titans' record when setting a target in Ahmedabad suggests the hosts may have got exactly what they wanted.

The toss is often seen as the first big moment of an IPL final, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru got that moment right on Sunday. Rajat Patidar called correctly and immediately opted to bowl first against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On paper, it was a simple decision. Chasing has become the preferred option in T20 cricket, and many teams feel more comfortable knowing the target in a high-pressure game. But Patidar's call could also be viewed from another angle. By sending Gujarat in to bat, RCB may have handed the Titans the exact situation they have enjoyed the most at their home ground.

The reason is simple. Over the last two seasons, GT have looked at their most dangerous in Ahmedabad when they bat first. Time and again, they have piled up runs, put scoreboard pressure on opponents and then allowed their bowlers to take control. With the IPL trophy on the line, that proven formula could once again become a major factor.

Patidar Won the Toss, But Did He Make GT's Job Easier?

Patidar's decision was backed by an impressive personal record. In IPL matches where he has been captain, Patidar has now won 11 of the 13 tosses he has been involved in, losing just once.

That made his decision to bowl first look like a confident one. However, the call becomes more interesting when viewed alongside Gujarat Titans' recent record in Ahmedabad. While most teams prefer chasing, GT have repeatedly shown that they are at their best when they are allowed to set the target.

GT Have Turned Batting First Into a Winning Formula

The numbers from Ahmedabad htell a compelling story. Whenever Gujarat Titans have been asked to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium since 2025, they have gone on to win the match.

Their victories include:

• 36-run win over Mumbai Indians
• 58-run win over Rajasthan Royals
• 38-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
• 82-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
• 89-run win over Chennai Super Kings

Five matches, five wins, and every one of them came after setting a target. What stands out even more is the manner of those victories. Gujarat did not just defend totals; they dominated games, winning by an average margin of more than 60 runs. The pattern has been clear: score big, apply scoreboard pressure and let the bowlers finish the job.

Can RCB Break The Trend?

Of course, history alone does not decide a final. RCB arrive as defending champions and possess one of the strongest batting line-ups in the competition. With Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma in the side, they have the firepower to chase down any target.

But by choosing to bowl first against a side that has repeatedly thrived while batting first in Ahmedabad, RCB have added another intriguing layer to the final. The toss may have gone Patidar's way, yet the conditions created by that decision could suit Gujarat Titans perfectly.

The final will ultimately be decided by what happens over 40 overs, but the numbers suggest Gujarat Titans have been handed the game script they know best.