History Rewritten: Virat Kohli Powers RCB to Second Consecutive IPL Crown

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their names into the history books as they successfully defended their Indian Premier League crown, defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this win, RCB becomes only the third team in IPL history—after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians—to win consecutive titles.

​Opting to bowl first, Rajat Patidar's RCB suffocated the Gujarat Titans' explosive batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 155/8. In response, the chasemaster Virat Kohli single-handedly controlled the narrative with a sensational, unbeaten 75 off 42 balls*, sealing the match with a signature long-on six with two overs to spare.

The First Innings: Rasikh Dar Shines on Big Stage

​RCB's decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood set a tight defensive line, removing the dangerous opening duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan early. Young sensation Rasikh Dar Salam broke the backbone of GT's middle order, picking up brilliant figures of 3/27. Had it not been for a resilient maiden half-century by Washington Sundar (50)*, the Titans would have struggled to cross the 130-run mark.

The Chase: Composure Over Chaos

​RCB flew off the blocks with a devastating 62-run opening stand between Venkatesh Iyer (32) and Virat Kohli. However, ace spinner Rashid Khan brought GT back into the contest with a quick double strike, reducing RCB to a nervy 132/5 at one stage.

​Calm amidst the brewing chaos, Virat Kohli shifted gears effortlessly. Striking 9 boundaries and 3 majestic sixes, he kept the required run-rate well within arm's reach. Fittingly, Kohli brought up the winning runs by launching Arshad Khan over the long-on ropes to ignite ecstatic celebrations in the RCB camp.

Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Match for his match-winning performance in the IPL 2026 final

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙚 ❤️@RCBTweets are your #TATAIPL 2026 Champions 🏆#Final | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/vAqXacHPju

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 31, 2026