Gujarat Titans are still in Chandigarh, bags packed but no aircraft in the sky, after heavy storms across north-western India stopped their charter flight from taking off on Saturday afternoon. Barring another twist, the squad is expected to touch down in Ahmedabad only after 10pm, which means fewer than 24 hours to shake out the stiffness and get ready for Sunday’s IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The late dash is a direct result of this year’s play-off schedule. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India spreading the three knock-out matches across as many venues, Titans had to face Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at Chandigarh on Friday night and then travel the very next day. Airport authorities, pointing to low visibility and a wet runway, held back all departures for several hours.
While Titans waited, RCB were already on their second net session. The defending champions flew into Ahmedabad on Wednesday, grabbed two full days at the Narendra Modi Stadium and, quite understandably, are feeling reasonably settled. Batter Rajat Patidar admitted the extra breathing space helps, but refused to over-play the angle. “Yes, because after Qualifier 1 we got enough time to rest and recover. At the same time, GT are coming straight from Qualifier 2,” Patidar said when asked if their early arrival was a positive. “There is some sort of advantage, but not a huge one because both teams are very good and have played excellent cricket.”
The weather in Ahmedabad itself is, mercifully, clear for the moment. Local forecasters are tipping warm evenings and only a slim chance of showers, a relief after the stop-start 2023 final that dragged into a reserve day and finally wrapped up in the small hours of a third.
Titans will lean on home support and recent history – they lifted the trophy in 2022 and were one ball away from defending it last year before Ravindra Jadeja’s late blitz for Chennai. Even so, a hurried arrival, tired bodies and limited preparation are hardly ideal. RCB, chasing back-to-back titles, won’t be complaining about the extra net time. Both camps, though, know that once the lights come on and the first ball is bowled, all the travel chaos fades into the background and it is simply 20 overs each, winner takes all.
