Rajat Patidar fumes as third umpire denies RCB wicket (Agency Image)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar was left visibly frustrated after a controversial third-umpire decision handed Gujarat Titans batter Washington Sundar a crucial reprieve during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.The incident occurred after RCB had already made the ideal start with the ball. Having won the toss and chosen to field, the defending champions struck twice inside the powerplay to remove Gujarat’s star opening pair. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Shubman Gill for 10, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar accounted for Sai Sudharsan for 12, leaving GT under pressure early.With the Titans looking for a recovery, Jacob Duffy appeared to have provided RCB with another breakthrough. Bowling a short delivery on the leg stump, Duffy induced a mistimed pull shot from Washington Sundar, with the ball heading towards fine leg where Jordan Cox completed what initially looked like a clean catch.However, the celebration was cut short as the third umpire was called into action to examine whether the catch had been taken fairly.Multiple replays showed that Cox did not appear to have complete control of the ball throughout the catching process. The ball seemed to be trapped awkwardly between the ring fingers of both hands and, while he managed to hold on, there was uncertainty over whether it had brushed the ground as he attempted to complete the catch.After reviewing the footage, the third umpire ruled Washington not out, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to confirm a clean catch.The decision did not go down well with Patidar. The RCB skipper immediately approached the on-field umpire and appeared eager to understand the reasoning behind the verdict. Television cameras captured Patidar engaged in a lengthy discussion as he sought clarification over why the catch had not been upheld.From RCB’s perspective, the decision was particularly frustrating given how well they had started. Gujarat Titans have relied heavily on their top order throughout IPL 2026, with both Gill and Sudharsan scoring more than 700 runs during the season and playing a major role in the team’s run to the final. Their early dismissals had put RCB firmly in control before Sundar’s escape offered GT a potential route back into the contest.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Josh Hazlewood dismissed Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill for 10 in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31. The dismissal came immediately after Gill welcomed the Australian pacer with a boundary on the first ball of his opening over, third of the first innings.

The speedster bowled a back-of-a-length ball outside off at 142 kmph, and Gill charged him down the track for a big shot but miscued it towards mid-on before RCB captain Rajat Patidar took a good running catch to hold onto the skier. Virat Kohli looked thrilled to bits with the early wicket.

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Gill had also flopped with the bat against RCB in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, perishing for just two runs. The Titans lost that game by 92 runs, which forced them to play Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and earn their place in the final. Having said that, Gill slammed 104 against RR and finished with 732 runs this season.

RCB remove GT openers early in IPL 2026 final

A clinical bowling display from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped RCB remove in-form GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, respectively. Sudharsan perished for a run-a-ball 12 as wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma took a smart running catch.

At the time of writing, GT were 39/2 after five overs, with Jos Buttler and Nishant Sindhu at the crease.

The two finalists have locked horns three times this season, with RCB winning twice, including the first playoff game. They would now look to repeat their Qualifier 1 success in an attempt to lift back-to-back IPL trophies. The Rajat Patidar-led side beat the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to win their maiden trophy by breaking an 18-year-old title drought in 2025.

On the contrary, GT won their first-ever trophy in their inaugural 2022 season. They are heavily reliant on their top three, including Jos Buttler, but Rahul Tewatia has been impressive in the playoffs. They would be keen to post a competitive total and challenge the defending champions, RCB, to earn their second trophy in the T20 league.

Follow the RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final live score and updates here.