Since the beginning of the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been one of the biggest sides along with the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians.
While MI and CSK won five titles each, it took RCB 18 years to win their first. Virat Kohli stepped down from captaincy; they brought in Faf du Plessis, but nothing helped until they got in Rajat Patidar, who broke the jinx. The arc from being an injury replacement to becoming the first captain to give RCB their title- this man will go celebrated in the history of RCB.
Today, Rajat did it again. He indeed failed with the bat today. But 501 runs, being the lone guide pulling RCB from the top-order disaster in Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala, he proved that his leadership was not all hollow. Today, his former captain, Virat Kohli, stood. He limped, still ran between the wickets, and smashed his fastest half-century. Rajat might be lucky to have his team in form, but he deserves credit for utilizing them nicely.
Today, in Ahmedabad, he led his team to the second IPL title. RCB had to chase a modest target of 156. And who can doubt Kohli when he is chasing! He survived a close call and finished the chase with 12 balls left as RCB won by 5 wickets.
With this, RCB enters the holy trinity with CSK and MI, being the only third team to retain the IPL title.
| Team | First title year | Retained Title year | Captain |
| Chennai Super Kings | 2010 | 2011 | MS Dhoni |
| Mumbai Indians | 2019 | 2020 | Rohit Sharma |
| Royals Challengers Bengaluru | 2025 | 2026 | Rajat Patidar |
Washington Sundar rescues GT to a modest total
Gujarat Titans posted 155/8 in 20 overs after a mixed batting display. Washington Sundar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, striking five boundaries. Arshad Khan added late momentum with 15 off six, including two sixes. Sai Sudharsan scored 12, while skipper Shubman Gill managed 10. Jos Buttler struggled for rhythm, making 19 from 23 balls. Rashid Khan's seven off three provided a brief flourish. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rasikh Salam claimed 3/27 in four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each, while Krunal Pandya chipped in with one, restricting Gujarat below 160.
Virat Kohli did it for RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 156 in 18 overs, finishing at 161/5. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes while steering the innings. Venkatesh Iyer provided a rapid start with 32 from 16 deliveries at a strike rate of 200. After quick dismissals of Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya, Tim David contributed 24 off 17 to keep the chase on track. Jitesh Sharma stayed unbeaten on 11. For Gujarat Titans, Rashid Khan returned 2/25 in four overs, while Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Arshad Khan picked up one wicket each.