AHMEDABAD, May 31: Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their names deeper into Indian Premier League history by successfully defending their crown, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
The victory marked Bengaluru’s second consecutive championship and highlighted a season-long dominance that culminated in another memorable triumph on the biggest stage. At the centre of the celebrations stood Virat Kohli, whose unbeaten 75 ensured RCB comfortably chased down a target of 156 with two overs to spare.
The experienced batter once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most dependable performers in world cricket. Kohli paced the chase expertly, balancing aggression with control while steering his side through crucial phases of the contest.
RCB made an explosive start after opting to chase. Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer immediately seized the initiative, taking apart Gujarat’s new-ball attack and placing the pressure firmly on the opposition. The duo raced to a rapid opening stand, ensuring Bengaluru never allowed the Titans to settle into the match.
A particularly aggressive assault against premier pacer Kagiso Rabada shifted momentum decisively in RCB’s favour. Boundaries flowed freely as Bengaluru dominated the powerplay, reaching a commanding position before Gujarat could mount any resistance.
Although Gujarat managed to claw back briefly through a cluster of middle-order wickets, the defending champions never appeared rattled. The dismissals of Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya provided the Titans with a glimmer of hope, but Kohli remained unshaken.
Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, the veteran batter anchored the innings while carefully rebuilding partnerships. His ability to absorb pressure and rotate strike prevented Gujarat from gaining sustained momentum.
Support arrived from Tim David, whose brisk cameo accelerated the scoring rate and eased the burden on Kohli during the closing stages of the chase. The Australian power-hitter played several impactful strokes that brought the target within touching distance.
Kohli also enjoyed a fortunate reprieve when a catch opportunity was overturned after television replays confirmed the ball had touched the turf. The moment proved costly for Gujarat as Bengaluru’s chase continued uninterrupted.
Fittingly, Kohli sealed the contest in style with a towering six, sparking jubilant celebrations among players, support staff and thousands of travelling supporters. The winning shot triggered emotional scenes in the RCB camp as players rushed onto the field to celebrate another championship-winning campaign.
Captain Rajat Patidar joined an elite list of IPL leaders who have successfully defended the title, further enhancing his growing reputation as a calm and effective leader. His broad smile at the presentation ceremony reflected the significance of the achievement.
Earlier, Bengaluru’s bowling attack laid the foundation for victory by restricting Gujarat Titans to a below-par total of 155 for eight. The pitch offered assistance to disciplined bowlers, and RCB executed their plans with precision throughout the innings.
Gujarat struggled to find fluency from the outset. The normally prolific opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan failed to provide the strong platform that had powered the Titans through much of the season.
Hazlewood delivered the first breakthrough when Gill departed attempting an attacking stroke, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sudharsan with a cleverly executed short-ball plan. The twin setbacks left Gujarat under pressure during the powerplay.
With both leading run-scorers back in the pavilion, Gujarat’s batting unit found it difficult to accelerate. Partnerships developed slowly, and boundaries became increasingly difficult to find against Bengaluru’s disciplined attack.
Washington Sundar emerged as the lone bright spot for the Titans. The left-hander produced a resilient half-century and attempted to guide his team towards a competitive score. However, limited support from the other end prevented Gujarat from building substantial momentum.
Jos Buttler and Washington stitched together a useful partnership, but neither batter was able to dominate proceedings. Bengaluru’s bowlers consistently denied easy scoring opportunities and forced the Titans into a cautious approach.
Young pacer Rasikh Salam Dhar continued his impressive rise with another impactful performance. His timely wickets in the middle overs dismantled Gujarat’s hopes of a late surge and exposed the lower order earlier than expected.
The Titans’ inability to clear the boundary regularly reflected the pressure applied by Bengaluru’s attack. RCB bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, ensuring Gujarat never established the momentum required in a high-stakes final.
By the time the innings concluded, the target appeared well within Bengaluru’s reach. Kohli and company subsequently transformed that opportunity into another title-winning performance, capping off a remarkable season with authority.
The triumph reinforces Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s status as the team to beat in the IPL and adds another glorious chapter to a franchise that has finally turned sustained promise into a winning dynasty.