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.
The veteran batter produced a masterclass in controlled aggression, scoring 75 not out from just 42 deliveries. His innings featured nine fours and three sixes, with the winning runs coming in spectacular fashion as he launched a six to seal the championship.
As celebrations erupted, the 37-year-old cricket icon pointed towards the crowd before being mobbed by teammates on the field. The victory marked another historic moment for the franchise, which won its maiden IPL title in 2025 after an 18-year wait and has now successfully defended the crown.
Speaking after the match, Kohli praised the team's consistency throughout the season and highlighted the confidence within the squad.
"I said to a few of the boys that it doesn't feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There's a reason why we got here first," Kohli said.
Kohli also described RCB as the strongest side in the competition and commended his teammates for delivering a clinical all-round performance in the final.
The triumph caps off another dominant campaign for Bengaluru, who finished atop the league standings before producing a convincing display in the title clash to establish themselves as one of the IPL's premier teams.
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