Former India opener Virender Sehwag has revealed his favorites for the IPL 2026 winner, ahead of the final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB and the Gujarat Titans (GT). This IPL 2026 final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, 2026.

RCB had topped the IPL 2026 points table and made it into the final by defeating GT in Qualifier 1. On the other hand, GT recovered from the 92-run defeat in Qualifier 1 and defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to make it into the final.

The eagerly awaited final, according to former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, is "straight 50-50" with no obvious favorites.

"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," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

With five victories in seven league stage games, the Gujarat Titans have been outstanding at home this IPL 2026 season. However, once the BCCI curators take over pitch preparation for the final, the 2022 champions would lose any home advantage.

"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 the BCCI that will prepare the wicket, so it's a level playing field,” Sehwag added.

Sehwag cautioned that GT cannot afford to let their guard down against a deadly RCB lineup that has demonstrated clinical bowling and hitting throughout the season.

"GT will have to play the kind of cricket they did in Qualifier 2 to get the better of RCB in the final," he added.