Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title after overcoming the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Virat Kohli once again rose to the occasion, remaining unbeaten on 75 from 42 balls and bringing up the quickest half-century of his IPL career. His innings featured a blend of controlled aggression and intelligent stroke play, helping Bengaluru chase down 156 with two overs to spare.
The triumph handed Bengaluru its second IPL title. It also marked another major milestone in the franchise's history. Bengaluru joined the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to have successfully defended the championship.
Bengaluru ended their long wait for a maiden title in 2025. They returned to Ahmedabad this season and produced another clinical display. The victory secured a second consecutive IPL trophy.
Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer gave Bengaluru the perfect start. The pair attacked Gujarat's pace bowlers from the opening over.
The duo powered the side to the fastest fifty recorded in an IPL final and immediately shifted the pressure onto the Titans.
While Kohli dominated with fluent stroke-making, Iyer chipped in with a brisk 32 that accelerated the chase.
Although Gujarat struck back through Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, Bengaluru had already built a strong platform.
Rajat Patidar maintained the scoring rate for Bengaluru. Rashid Khan, however, produced a crucial spell and dismissed both the Bengaluru captain and Krunal Pandya.
Tim David added useful runs in the middle overs, but Kohli ensured the chase never drifted away from his side. The veteran batter reached his fifty in just 25 deliveries and continued to find boundaries even as cramps affected his movement.
Jitesh Sharma played an important supporting role during the closing stages as Bengaluru edged closer to victory.
Kohli survived a late dismissal scare after television replays showed the catch had not been completed cleanly. He then finished the contest emphatically, launching a six after finding the boundary moments earlier to spark celebrations among Bengaluru players and supporters.
Earlier, the Gujarat Titans managed 155/8 after Washington Sundar's unbeaten half-century rescued the innings.
Bengaluru's bowlers had already done the damage, with Rasikh Salam Dar leading the attack through a superb three-wicket performance.
The victory further strengthened Royal Challengers Bengaluru's standing in the competition. It also reinforced the franchise's reputation as one of the IPL's leading teams.