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RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final: Should teams win the toss and bat first or bowl in the final at Ahmedabad? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ahmedabad conditions favour pace bowlers, especially under evening lights with dew.
- Having a target to aim at might help the chasing side in a final.
- CN takes a look at the overall record at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which should answer the question.
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Should the toss winners bat or bowl first in the IPL 2026 final at Ahmedabad?
When Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill walk out for the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, the captain who calls it right may have an advantage.
Ahmedabad has a well-established pattern under floodlights that helps the pace bowlers thrive early, as the new ball tends to move around enough to cause trouble for the top-order.
Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj have been two of the most dangerous bowlers in the entire competition this season. Rabada has taken 11 wickets at this venue, while Siraj has picked up 10. Both are capable of exploiting hard lengths and extracting movement when the ball is fresh, making a case for bowling first hard to ignore.
MORE: Does GT have an advantage over RCB in IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad?
If GT are depending on Rabada-Siraj, then RCB can counter with Josh Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar has picked 26 wickets in the IPL and has regained his Midas touch with the new ball. His ability to swing both ways will trouble Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Hence, it will not be a surprise if Patidar favours bowling first on Sunday evening.
MORE: RCB vs GT head-to-head IPL: Last 5 matches, records at Bengaluru and Ahmedabad
Will dew be a factor in Ahmedabad during IPL final 2026?
As the night wears on, dew settles heavily on the outfield at Ahmedabad. This makes life difficult for spinners, who struggle to get a proper grip on a wet ball, and it also limits the ability of fast bowlers to execute slower deliveries and cutters.
In short, the side chasing gets a cleaner, easier ball to hit, which naturally tilts the game in their favour as the innings progresses.
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What is the record in Ahmedabad for teams batting first in IPL?
It would be a mistake to assume bowling first is always the right call here. In last year's IPL final held at this very ground, RCB batted first, posted 190/9, and still managed to defend it against Punjab Kings by just six runs.
Across the 52 IPL matches played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, teams batting first have won 26 times.
MORE: King vs Prince: IPL 2026 final showdown between Kohli and Gill
What is the record in Ahmedabad for teams bowling first in IPL?
Teams that have bowled first have won 25 matches out of 52 times. One match has been tied.
It shows that, there the wicket mostly remains firm for the full 40 overs, and teams can win games, even after losing the toss.
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