Ahmedabad, May 31 (IANS) Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel said familiarity with home conditions will be an advantage when taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, adding that the team knows the surface ‘very well’ and will look to capitalise on it.

GT, who finished at second spot on the points table. bounced back from their defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1 with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to qualify for their IPL third final in five years. GT had won the IPL title in Ahmedabad in 2022.

“There is an advantage, yes. We know the conditions are very good. We know the conditions very well. That remains an advantage. Mostly, in a final match, your effort is to get a good start and then proceed,” Patel said in a pre-final chat with the broadcasters.

On the team’s delayed arrival in Ahmedabad from Chandigarh due to inclement weather, Patel remarked, “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.”

Patel praised the batting depth, especially with skipper Shubman Gill and left-handed opener B Sai Sudharsan leading the batting charge. “Our top order has batted very well throughout the tournament. They have contributed every time.

“And whenever an opportunity arose, whether it was Washington Sundar, the lower order, or Rahul Tewatia – everyone has contributed. Everyone has performed well. So as we said, if they get an opportunity today, I am sure they will perform well.”

Asked about playing on pitch number six, which was the same pitch used in their league stage win over RCB, Patel said, “As you rightly said, these things do not matter much in a final match. You try to execute the plans you have made. And since it is our home ground, we know how the conditions are, where they change, what kind of conditions they are. But certainly, we have to play well.”

Patel signed off by lauding the GT support staff for their rock-solid help and support to players in this season. “The Titans support staff are like family. The support and backup we receive from them is immense and they help us during close games and in pressure situations.”

–IANS

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