Royal Challengers Bengaluru are champions again. RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium and lifted their second straight trophy.
Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front as RCB chased 156 with confidence, reaching 161/5 in just 18 overs. It was a calm finish in a big game, with the team getting home with two overs left.
The star of the night was Virat Kohli. He stayed unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls and controlled the chase from start to finish. Kohli also brought up his fastest IPL fifty, reaching the mark in only 25 balls.
RCB got off to a flying start in the powerplay. Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer attacked early and put pressure on GT’s bowling attack. Their aggressive batting pushed RCB to 70/2 in the first six overs and gave the chase the perfect base.
Earlier, RCB chose to bowl first and made an immediate impact. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan early, leaving GT under pressure at 45/2.
RCB kept things tight through the middle overs. Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam gave very little away and did not allow GT’s batters to settle. GT went through a long boundary drought, and wickets kept falling at key moments.
Just when GT looked set for a low total, Washington Sundar fought back with a brave unbeaten 50 off 37 balls. His late knock helped GT recover and reach 155/8, giving their bowlers something to defend.
Rasikh Salam was RCB’s best bowler with 3/27 and played a huge role in keeping GT under control.
GT did have a small comeback during the chase when Rashid Khan dismissed Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in quick succession. But Kohli stayed strong despite a visible leg strain and never let the game slip away.
With Tim David offering support at the other end, Kohli finished it in style, smashing a six over long-on to seal the title and spark celebrations among the RCB fans.
The win also puts Rajat Patidar in elite company. He now joins MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as one of the few captains to win back-to-back IPL trophies.