IPL 2026 | Decoding the strengths and shortcomings of the Final Four

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Strengths: The defending champion has an all-round squad packed with match-winners. Virat Kohli’s returns, especially in the absence of Phil Salt, reflect that he is as hungry as ever to taste success. The presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya — all top-quality bowlers who have been there and done that — is a boon.

Weaknesses: Four of RCB’s five defeats came away from home, a stark contrast to the spotless run it had in IPL 2025. The Rajat Patidar-led outfit has work to do in a phase where it might end up playing at three venues in six days. Despite scoring a half-century on his comeback — against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday — the captain has not reached his maximum potential yet.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill trains ahead of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Gujarat Titans

Strengths: In a format where runs are the dominant currency, the 2022 title-winner boasts of a bankable top three (skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler) that is well-equipped to shine across conditions. The pace battery, led by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, is equally potent and rich in depth.

Weaknesses: The middle-order batters, barring Washington Sundar, have not been up to the mark — none except the India all-rounder have even crossed the 100-run hurdle for the season. The Gujarat side is yet to successfully chase down 200 or more this campaign, so how prepared it is for a possible scenario remains to be seen.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Strengths: SRH has the wherewithal to keep the scoreboard ticking despite setbacks, with Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan being the conductors of the orchestra. Having infused young blood into the bowling attack — Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge and Shivang Kumar among others — the Hyderabad outfit has the variety to stifle rival batters.

Weaknesses: While the newcomers have delivered the goods thus far, the bowling unit is short on experience. Apart from skipper Pat Cummins, no bowler in the probable playing XII has consistently experienced the rigours of knockout cricket.

Rajasthan Royals

Strengths: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! The 15-year-old pocket dynamite has shown maturity beyond his age at a time when his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal has not been at his best.

Speedster Jofra Archer, the team’s strike bowler, is back in his element after a breathtaking spell in the do-or-die fixture against Mumbai Indians.

Weaknesses: The middle-order batters have rarely fired in unison, and it could partly be down to the shuffling of personnel during the first round. With lead tweaker Ravindra Jadeja only recently returning to the field and the other pedigreed slow bowler, Ravi Bishnoi, out of action since the beginning of the month, the spin department is still a concern.