Sunil Gavaskar questions IPL final scheduling after GT's late-night arrival: ‘They could have pushed it’

The GT players arrived at the team hotel around midnight. Meanwhile, RCB have been in the city since defeating GT in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.

Updated on: May 31, 2026, 20:23:01 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Sunil Gavaskar feels the IPL 2026 final should have been postponed, as Gujarat Titans' arrival in Ahmedabad was delayed by adverse weather conditions. GT were expected to reach Ahmedabad by early afternoon on Saturday from Mullanpur. But they were stranded by the weather and landed in Ahmedabad late on Saturday, around 10:45 pm. (RCB vs GT IPL 2026 LIVE SCORE)

Sunil Gavaskar felt that the IPL final should have been postponed. (Deepak Salvi)

The players arrived at the team hotel around midnight. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been in the city since defeating GT in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday (May 26). Meanwhile, GT faced RR in Qualifier 2, clinching victory in a nervy run chase. Chasing 215 runs, GT reached 219/3 in 18.4 overs, courtesy of skipper Shubman Gill's 53-ball 104.

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‘Players require rest’: Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said, "Yes, definitely. Make no mistake, players require rest. You didn't know when your flight was taking off, so there was anxiousness. Which means you are mentally also off apart from the physical toll."

"So, I thought with a reserve day in place, considering what happened was completely unexpected, I thought they could have pushed the final to tomorrow, just to be a little fair to the Gujarat Titans team," he added.

The reserve day for the final was placed on Monday (June 1)

Even RCB captain Rajat Patidar conceded before the match that his team has an advantage, as they have had enough time to rest and recover.

"Yes, because after Qualifier 1 we got enough time to rest and recover. At the same time, GT are coming straight from Qualifier 2," he said.

"There is some sort of advantage, but not a huge one because both teams are very good and have played excellent cricket."

Meanwhile, Gill revealed during the toss on Sunday that his team was ready and fresh for the final.

GT assistant coach Parthiv Patel said, "Obviously, the weather was not in our control. But we keep watching. Our thinking is that we know we have come to play the IPL final. So fatigue does not matter that much. For every player, there is only one thing on their mind: to win the match for the team and make a name for themselves. So all our players are thinking in this direction because no player can get a bigger match or a better opportunity than this."

Before the IPL final, both sides faced each other first on April 24, where Sai Sudharsan's classy ton failed to take GT to victory as half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal took RCB past the finishing line.

Then on April 30, GT bowled out RCB for 155 and then chased it down in under 16 overs. They met again in Qualifier 1 and Rajat Patidar's 93* took RCB to 254, the highest score in an IPL playoff game. Then RCB removed GT's top order in the powerplay, ending up with a 92-run win.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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