Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in Ahmedabad, becoming IPL champions for the second consecutive season as Virat Kohli produced a match-winning, unbeaten knock
Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted another historic chapter in Indian Premier League history by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday night. Riding on an outstanding unbeaten innings from Virat Kohli, RCB successfully chased down 156 with two overs to spare and secured their second consecutive IPL trophy.
The victory marks a remarkable achievement for the Bengaluru franchise, which only ended its long wait for a maiden IPL title in 2025. Twelve months later, RCB have now established themselves among the elite teams in tournament history by successfully defending their championship crown.
Virat Kohli Leads RCB's Successful IPL 2026 Final Chase
Chasing a target of 156, Royal Challengers Bengaluru began aggressively with Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer providing early momentum. Iyer played a crucial supporting role, scoring 32 runs from just 16 deliveries and helping RCB gain control during the powerplay.
However, Gujarat Titans refused to surrender easily. Star spinner Rashid Khan brought GT back into the contest by dismissing two Bengaluru batters in a single over, creating tension inside the packed stadium.
Despite the setbacks, Kohli remained calm and composed throughout the chase. The former RCB captain anchored the innings expertly while ensuring the required run rate never became a concern.
"Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage, guiding RCB to another IPL title with an unbeaten match-winning knock."
The veteran batter reached his half-century in just 25 balls, making it the fastest IPL fifty of his illustrious career. His aggressive yet controlled approach completely shifted the momentum in Bengaluru's favor.
As the innings entered its closing stages, Kohli continued finding boundaries regularly, denying Gujarat any opportunity to mount a late comeback.
Kohli Finishes in Style as RCB Become IPL Champions Again
The defining moment arrived in the 18th over when Kohli sealed the championship in trademark fashion. The batting superstar struck a boundary before launching a towering six over long-on to complete the chase and spark celebrations among RCB supporters.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 runs, finishing as the architect of Bengaluru's successful pursuit.
RCB closed the chase at 161/5 in 18 overs, comfortably surpassing Gujarat Titans' total of 155/8.
The scenes that followed reflected the significance of the achievement, as players, support staff, and thousands of travelling fans celebrated another memorable IPL triumph.
RCB Bowlers Set Up IPL Final Victory
Before Kohli's batting masterclass, Bengaluru's bowlers laid the foundation for victory with a disciplined and clinical performance.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that proved crucial as Gujarat Titans struggled to establish momentum.
The Bengaluru attack struck early, removing Gujarat captain Shubman Gill and opening partner Sai Sudharsan during the powerplay.
Washington Sundar emerged as Gujarat's standout performer with a fighting half-century after receiving an early reprieve. However, consistent wickets prevented the Titans from building substantial partnerships.
Young pacer Rasikh Salam Dar delivered one of the most impactful spells of the final, claiming three wickets and disrupting Gujarat's middle order.
Experienced campaigners Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided valuable support, picking up two wickets each and maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
Their collective effort restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs, a total that ultimately proved insufficient against an inspired Bengaluru batting unit.
Third-Umpire Drama Adds Late Twist
The final also witnessed a tense moment involving Kohli when he appeared to have been caught by Shubman Gill at mid-off.
The on-field umpire initially signalled him out, prompting a review. After examining multiple replays, the third umpire concluded that part of the ball had made contact with the ground and overturned the decision.
The verdict handed Kohli a lifeline, and the star batter capitalized fully, steering RCB to victory and ending Gujarat's hopes of a dramatic turnaround.
Back-to-Back IPL Titles Cement RCB's Legacy
The triumph represents a transformational period for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
For years, the franchise carried the burden of being one of the IPL's most popular teams without a championship. That narrative changed in 2025 when RCB finally lifted their maiden trophy after an 18-year wait.
Now, with consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026, Bengaluru have firmly positioned themselves among the competition's modern powerhouses.
The victory also further enhances Virat Kohli's legendary association with the franchise. Having spent his entire IPL career with Bengaluru, Kohli once again proved decisive on the biggest occasion, delivering a performance that will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the IPL 2026 season.
As fireworks lit up the Ahmedabad sky and celebrations erupted across the stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a journey from long-suffering contenders to back-to-back champions, writing another unforgettable chapter in IPL history.
