Paris Soir - Bengaluru win toss, opt to bowl against Gujarat in IPL final

Bengaluru, along with star player Virat Kohli, are eying back-to-back titles after winning their first IPL trophy in the 18th edition of the T20 tournament last year.

They come in unchanged from their win over Gujarat in the first play-off to secure direct entry into the final.

Kohli's iconic number 18 jersey dominated the stands at the 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium, which is home to Gujarat.

Bengaluru and Gujarat have won their titles at the same venue.

Gujarat, led by Shubman Gill, hammered Rajasthan Royals in the last play-off to qualify for their third final in five years. They won the title in 2022, their debut year.

Gill, who is India's Test and ODI captain, took over as Gujarat skipper ahead of the 2024 season and was heading into his first final as leader.

Teams

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.

Umpires: KN Ananthapadmanabhan (IND), Nitin Menon (IND)

TV Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal (IND)

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

P.Roux--PS