Post by : Shakul

Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted another golden chapter in Indian Premier League history by successfully defending their title and lifting their second consecutive IPL trophy with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Bengaluru bowling attack. The batting lineup failed to produce any major partnerships as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Washington Sundar stood tall with an unbeaten half-century while Nishant Sindhu provided some support, helping Gujarat post a modest total of 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

RCB's bowlers dominated the contest from the very beginning. Rasikh Dar Salam delivered a match-changing spell and picked up three crucial wickets. Experienced pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood maintained relentless pressure and chipped in with two wickets each, preventing Gujarat from accelerating during the crucial middle and death overs.

Chasing 156 for victory, Bengaluru made an aggressive start. Venkatesh Iyer launched a fearless attack and scored a quick-fire 32 off just 16 balls. His explosive partnership with Virat Kohli laid the perfect foundation for the chase and put Gujarat on the back foot early in the innings.

Although Gujarat Titans fought back by claiming a few quick wickets and reducing RCB to 132 for 5, Virat Kohli remained calm under pressure. Displaying remarkable composure and experience, the former captain anchored the innings brilliantly and ensured there were no further hiccups in the chase.

Kohli finished unbeaten on 75 from just 42 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and three towering sixes. The veteran batter sealed the victory in style with a massive six over long-on, sparking celebrations among Bengaluru players and supporters as RCB reached the target with two overs to spare.

The victory marked another milestone in Kohli’s illustrious career. He was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock and became one of the oldest players to win the award in an IPL final. The triumph also reinforced Bengaluru’s status as one of the strongest franchises in the modern era of the tournament.

Captain Rajat Patidar dedicated the title to the fans who lost their lives during the tragic celebrations following the team’s previous championship success. The emotional tribute added deeper significance to a memorable night as RCB celebrated back-to-back IPL titles and further cemented their legacy in Indian cricket.

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