Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their names deeper into Indian Premier League history by successfully defending their IPL crown, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
With the victory, RCB became only the third franchise in IPL history to win back-to-back titles, joining the elite company of Chennai Super Kings, who achieved the feat in 2010 and 2011, and Mumbai Indians, who successfully defended their title in 2019 and 2020.
The triumph capped off a remarkable campaign for Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who entered the playoffs as one of the most consistent sides of the season and finished the tournament by lifting their second consecutive championship.
Disciplined Bowling Effort Restricts Gujarat Titans
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB produced a clinical bowling performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Bengaluru bowlers never allowed the Titans' batting lineup to settle, striking at regular intervals and maintaining tight control throughout the innings.
Gujarat survived an early scare when Sai Sudharsan was initially adjudged caught behind in the opening over before a successful DRS review overturned the decision. However, the reprieve did little to change the course of the innings.
Josh Hazlewood provided the first breakthrough by dismissing captain Shubman Gill, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sudharsan soon after to leave Gujarat struggling inside the powerplay.
Nishant Sindhu and Jos Buttler attempted to rebuild the innings, but RCB’s disciplined attack continued to tighten its grip on the contest. Rasikh Salam removed Sindhu after a patient 20, while Krunal Pandya produced a crucial breakthrough as Buttler was brilliantly stumped by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.
At 73/4, Gujarat Titans found themselves under immense pressure.
Arshad Khan briefly counterattacked with a quick cameo before Hazlewood claimed his second wicket of the evening.
Washington Sundar Fights Lone Battle
With wickets falling regularly, Washington Sundar emerged as Gujarat Titans’ lone warrior.
Displaying maturity and composure under pressure, Sundar crafted an unbeaten half-century off 37 deliveries, ensuring that Gujarat managed to post a competitive total despite the collapse around him.
His knock helped push GT beyond the 150-run mark, providing the bowlers with something to defend on the grand stage.
Rasikh Salam was the standout performer with the ball for RCB, returning impressive figures of 3/27. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with two wickets apiece as the defending champions executed their plans to perfection.
Kohli Sets the Tone in the Chase
Chasing 156 for victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru began aggressively through Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer.
The pair targeted Kagiso Rabada, one of the tournament's leading wicket-takers, and quickly shifted the momentum in RCB's favour. The opening stand provided the ideal platform as Bengaluru raced to 70/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Mohammed Siraj dismissed Venkatesh Iyer after a brisk 32 off just 16 deliveries, while Rabada struck immediately after to remove Devdutt Padikkal.
Despite the wickets, RCB maintained control of the chase.
Gujarat Titans briefly fought back when Rashid Khan delivered a crucial double strike, removing captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya within four deliveries. The leg-spinner's intervention reduced Bengaluru to 91/4 and offered the Titans a glimmer of hope.
Kohli Delivers on the Biggest Stage
As he has done countless times throughout his illustrious IPL career, Virat Kohli stepped up when his team needed him most.
The veteran batter anchored the chase with a composed yet attacking innings, bringing up his half-century in just 25 balls, the fastest IPL fifty of his career.
Kohli combined caution with calculated aggression, ensuring the required run rate never became an issue. He found an able partner in Tim David, whose contribution further steadied the innings and pushed Bengaluru closer to the target.
The pair added a valuable 41-run partnership before David was dismissed, but by then the result was largely beyond Gujarat’s reach.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 from 42 deliveries and fittingly sealed the championship with a towering six over long-on, sparking celebrations among players and fans alike.
A Historic Achievement for RCB
The victory marks another landmark moment in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s journey.
Long regarded as one of the IPL's most passionate yet title-starved franchises, RCB have now transformed themselves into one of the league's dominant forces. After ending their long wait for a maiden title in 2025, they have followed it up with an equally impressive title defence in 2026.
For Virat Kohli, the triumph adds yet another memorable chapter to an extraordinary IPL legacy, while for Rajat Patidar and the current RCB squad, it establishes their place among the most successful teams in the tournament's history.
By successfully defending their championship, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have not only retained the IPL trophy but have also cemented their status as one of the defining teams of the modern IPL era.
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