It is time for the big final. All the hard work of over two months, will be put to test for one last time, in Ahmedabad as GT take on RCB in the summit clash at their home. From what Gujarat did in their qualifier 2 against RR, they hardly need any changes in their XI for the most important match, but then they seriously need to ask themselves questions, if they need certain players in the team or not.
Once again, batting is what they would like to strengthen, But as always, they aren’t the side who prefer a lot of changes, and hence make some questionable decisions. The only difference now would be, there would no comeback from this. So, they need to be very sure of the combination they want to go with. And on this note, InsideSport takes a look at the predicted GT playing XI.
Why have Sai Kishore in the side?
One of the things that perhaps got brushed under the carpet was, Shubman Gill not giving a single over to R Sai Kishore. What has the bowler done so wrong to be ignored so badly? This year he has been made to bowl only 4 overs in 3 matches. That is criminal for a player who went on to pick 19 wickets in the last edition.
Remove him for all you want, and get in an extra batter. Bowling looks just fine. Kumar Kushagra could be their man, who can come in as a finisher, at no. 6-7, depending on the situation, after Rahul Tewatia, if needed. Surprise, surprise. If need be, get in Shahrukh Khan too; not because he has been much value to the team, but because GT management likes to place a lot of trust in their select bunch of players.
No other changes needed
All will be well for GT, if Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill go on to score big. If that doesn’t happen, major contribution will have to come from Jos Buttler. Beyond that there is not much hope. Gill has 722 runs and Sudharsan has 710, and both are in serious contention for orange cap this year. Buttler has had a great year too, scoring 507 runs at an average of 39, including 4 fifties.
GT predicted XI vs RCB for IPL 2026 final
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna. Impact Sub: Rahul Tewatia
Cricket
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