In an impressive display, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their Indian Premier League (IPL) title on January 31, 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
This victory marks RCB’s second IPL title and their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy, including two Women’s Premier League titles.
Put to bat first by RCB captain Rajat Patidar, Gujarat Titans were restricted to 155 for 8 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten with 50 runs from 37 balls, hitting five fours, while Nishant Sindhu added 20 runs from 18 balls. Rasikh Dar Salam took three wickets for 27 runs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two for 29, and Josh Hazlewood also took two wickets for 37 runs.
RCB commenced their chase strongly, with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Iyer scored 32 runs from 16 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammed Siraj. Kohli excelled with a 75 not out from 42 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes, steering RCB to victory with two overs remaining.
GT showed resistance early on but lost wickets regularly, including the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan in the powerplay. Krunal Pandya bowled tight overs and took key wickets, while Rasikh Salam Dar’s introduction of spin further pressured GT’s batsmen. Despite efforts from Washington Sundar and Jason Holder in the later stages, GT could reach only 155 runs.
During the innings, Kohli ended a ten-year IPL playoff fifty drought, reaching his fifty in 25 balls, the fastest of his IPL career, with seven fours and two sixes. The crucial partnerships and balanced bowling performance by RCB ensured their successful title defence, culminating in a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.