IPL 2026

Virat Kohli delivered a captain's knock of unbeaten 75 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, securing their second consecutive Indian Premier League title.

RCB's bowlers laid the foundation for victory by restricting Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in the summit clash in Ahmedabad. Chasing a target of 156, Bengaluru comfortably reached the mark with 12 balls remaining, thanks largely to Kohli's brilliant innings.

Gujarat Titans stormed into the IPL 2026 final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. The win sets up a blockbuster title clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.

Leading from the front, captain Shubman Gill produced a magnificent unbeaten 104-run innings, while Sai Sudharsan chipped in with a crucial half-century as Gujarat successfully chased down a daunting target of 215 with eight balls remaining.

Rajasthan’s Early Troubles

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare for the IPL 2026 final on Sunday, Bengaluru City Police have issued a comprehensive public advisory urging fans to celebrate responsibly and avoid activities that could disrupt public order.

The advisory comes in the backdrop of last year's tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's title celebrations, which claimed 11 lives and raised serious concerns about crowd management and public safety.

Key Restrictions Announced

Mumbai Indians endured a disappointing end to their 2026 Indian Premier League campaign after a narrow defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru officially ended their playoff hopes. The absence of regular captain Hardik Pandya due to a back spasm further compounded the franchise’s struggles during a season marked by inconsistency and injury setbacks. All-rounder Corbin Bosch acknowledged the difficulties created by Pandya’s absence but stressed the importance of adapting under pressure.

Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh has dismissed speculation surrounding his fitness during the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League season. Reports circulating across media platforms had claimed the aggressive batter gained nearly 10 kilograms during the tournament, sparking conversations regarding athlete conditioning and performance standards in modern franchise cricket. Responding directly through Instagram, the 25-year-old shared an image showcasing his physique alongside a shushing emoji, signaling his rejection of the claims.

Punjab Kings enter a decisive phase of the 2026 Indian Premier League season after a stunning early run of seven consecutive victories was followed by a noticeable dip in momentum. With only three league matches remaining, Punjab remains firmly in the playoff race and requires two more wins to strengthen qualification hopes. Their immediate challenge comes against Mumbai Indians in Dharamshala, where the visitors will attempt to salvage pride despite elimination from postseason contention.

Mumbai Indians revived their IPL 2026 campaign with an impressive victory over Punjab Kings, but the post-match focus quickly shifted toward the fitness of captain Hardik Pandya. All-rounder Shardul Thakur confirmed that Pandya is recovering from injury and is expected to return for the upcoming clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. In the absence of both Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai for the first time and delivered a composed leadership performance.

The Indian Premier League 2026 season continues to deliver high-intensity cricket, with frequent high-scoring matches and a tightly contested race for playoff qualification. However, the spectacle has been partially overshadowed by a noticeable rise in disciplinary breaches involving players and team personnel. With 46 of the 70 league-stage matches completed, multiple individuals have already faced sanctions under the Code of Conduct enforced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

In a dramatic turn of events in Indian cricket’s business landscape, Lakshmi Mittal has secured a definitive agreement to acquire Rajasthan Royals at a valuation of $1.65 billion (approximately Rs 15,660 crore). The deal abruptly displaces a previously announced US-led consortium backed by prominent global investors. This high-value transaction underscores the surging financial appeal of the Indian Premier League and signals intensifying competition for ownership of elite sports assets.

Mumbai Indians suffered another disappointing setback against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings, losing by eight wickets in a result that has intensified concerns over the team’s consistency this season. The defeat exposed Mumbai’s ongoing struggles with momentum management and execution under pressure, as Chennai controlled the match comfortably after seizing the initiative early.