Virat Kohli produced another memorable performance as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, securing consecutive Indian Premier League championships.
RCB first delivered a disciplined bowling display to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in Ahmedabad. Chasing 156 for victory, the defending champions never looked under serious pressure thanks to a masterclass from Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 75 from just 42 balls.
The veteran batter struck nine fours and three sixes during his match-winning knock, bringing up his fifth half-century of the season. Kohli fittingly finished the contest by smashing the winning runs for six, sparking jubilant celebrations among RCB players and fans.
The 37-year-old pointed towards the crowd as teammates rushed onto the field to celebrate a landmark victory. The triumph marks RCB's second IPL title and their first successful title defence after ending an 18-year wait for a championship in 2025.
Speaking after the match, Kohli praised his side's consistency and confidence throughout the tournament.
"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.
He also described RCB as the strongest team in the competition and hailed the squad's all-round performance in the final.
Having dominated the league stage and finished at the top of the table, RCB capped off an outstanding campaign with a clinical display in the final, further strengthening their position as one of the IPL's leading franchises.
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