They can’t make any pitch that they want

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag remarked that the Gujarat Titans (GT) won’t be able to exercise home advantage to the fullest in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Final due to a lack of control over how they want the pitch to be played out. The Shubman Gill-led side will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the home venue, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Sunday, May 31.

GT have been one of the most efficient sides in the IPL 2026 when it comes to playing at home. They have won their last four matches at the venue, including one against their upcoming opponents during the league stage. GT had trapped RCB with a sluggish surface, bowling out the explosive batting unit for 155, before chasing it down with more than four overs to spare.

However, unlike the league stage, the BCCI and the curators take over control in terms of choosing the pitch and its preparation during the playoffs, where a home team is named only for logistical purposes.

“The kind of cricket that RCB are playing, and have been playing, has been quite exceptional. According to me, it is a straight 50-50. This is GT’s home ground, but because it’s a final, they can’t make any pitch that they want, so they won’t get that advantage. Since it’s a final, it will be BCCI that will prepare the wicket, so it’s a level playing field. GT will have to play the kind of cricket they did in Qualifier 2 to get the better of RCB in the final,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

RCB had won their maiden title at the same venue last season, but their overall record in the new Narendra Modi Stadium has been mediocre at best. Since 2021, they have featured in seven matches at the gigantic stadium, where they have won three and lost four.

“GT have a slight advantage for sure” – Manoj Tiwary on Shubman Gill and co. getting to play at their home venue in IPL 2026 Final

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary, however, feels that GT’s familiarity with the venue and the kind of support they would get from the home crowd, does give them a slight early advantage.

“Because the final is being played in Ahmedabad, GT have a slight advantage for sure. Also, if they played as they played during Qualifier 2, they can even be favorites. They will even get the support from the home ground, so that will be a boost. RCB are wearing red though, and that means danger,” Manoj Tiwary said.

This marks the fourth final in five seasons that will be hosted by the Narendra Modi Stadium. Both GT and RCB’s sole IPL title wins have come at this very venue in 2022 and 2025, respectively.

The summit clash was initially scheduled to be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the home of the reigning champions. However, it was shifted midway through the IPL 2026 campaign after a dispute between BCCI and the local government regarding ticket allocation,