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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claim their IPL titles in back-to-back seasons under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. After the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Bengaluru is the third team in league history to successfully defend the title.
In both of the innings of the IPL 2026 final, Bengaluru proved its domination over the home team, the Gujarat Titans, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the Bengaluru bowlers ruled the first over, it was Virat Kohli who safely led the team to the finish line.
RCB was in the front from the beginning of the match
A splendid exhibition of bowling by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the final of the IPL 2026 season. It is the home ground of the Gujarat Titans, and the very ground where Bengaluru claimed their maiden title in the previous season. The home advantage was with GT, but the momentum was with RCB, which made the contest more interesting.
Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first as the surface looked a bit tricky. GT’s main strength lay in the top of the batting order in the form of their openers Sai Sudharshan and Shubman Gill. Josh Buttler was another one who could be a serious threat to the defending champion, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
RCB came out for tonight’s summit clash with proper planning. As soon as they removed the top-order batters, GT’s batting unit tumbled and was able to register only 155 runs in 20 overs in exchange for 8 wickets. Washington Sundar alone scored an unbeaten 50 off 37. For Bengaluru, Rasikh Salam took 3 wickets in 4 overs for an economy rate of 6.75 and a brace each for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.
Virat Kohli was the hero for Bengaluru
Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli offered RCB a flying start after a watchful first over in the second innings. Gujarat Titans tried hard to make a comeback in the contest through their bowlers. After the departure of Venkatesh Iyer, GT quickly clinched the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya.
It was the chase-master Virat Kohli who remained strong on deck and drove the team close to the target. Tim David also played a crucial role in the chase and supported Kohli in the innings. Kohli remained unbeaten for 75 off 42 with nine 4s and three 6s. RCB won the IPL 2026 final over the Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets and 12 balls to spare.
It feels superb: Rajat Patidar
"It feels superb. When we came here there was a lot of memories of last year. I don't have words to express but feeling very good. It was clear planning. When we win the toss, it was easy to chase. The way Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh, KP Suyash and Shepherd, they bowled really well throughout the tournament," Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said after the match.
"I never dreamt of becoming the captain of RCB and lifting the trophy. I think it was written. Grateful for that. We were slightly more confident than last year. Everywhere it felt like a home ground for us with the fans coming in. The pre tournament prep was very good for me. I tried to analyze which shots are good for me. I got so many inputs from DK, which were helpful for me. He is always there for the team," he added.
Read More: "We knew": Virat Kohli delighted after winning back-to-back IPL titles
