Exactly 361 days ago, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their jinx to lift their maiden IPL trophy. Fast forward to the 362nd day, and history repeated itself at the world’s largest cricket stadium. RCB dismantled the Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets to capture back-to-back IPL titles.
With this fairytale triumph, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar has entered an elite club alongside legendary captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the only leaders to defend an IPL title. But the undisputed hero of this mega final? None other than the run-machine himself, Virat Kohli!
Killer Kohli: The 25-Ball Blitzkrieg
Chasing 156, Virat Kohli’s batting display was nothing short of absolute cinema. The defining moment came in the fourth over of the innings when Kohli used his trademark wrists to whip a 155 km/h thunderbolt from Kagiso Rabada deep into the stands—a shot that will remain etched in the memories of cricket fans forever.
Despite battling a leg strain midway through the innings and visibly limping, the legend refused to back down. He brought up his fastest-ever IPL fifty off just 25 balls. King Kohli anchored the chase perfectly, finishing on an unforgettable 75* off 42 balls and sealing the victory with a magnificent six. It was a vintage Kohli finish that rolled back the years.
Grand Final Scorecard at a Glance:
• Gujarat Titans (GT): 155/8 (20 overs) | Washington Sundar 50* (37); Rasikh Salam 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): 161/5 (18 overs) | Virat Kohli 75* (42); Rashid Khan 2-25.
• Result: RCB won by 5 wickets.
First Innings Drama: RCB Bowlers Break GT’s Back Early
Winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar made the brave call to bowl first in a high-pressure final. His bowling unit vindicated the decision perfectly. Exploiting a sluggish Ahmedabad track, seasoned pros Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood utilized the hard length to send dangerous openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan packing early. Such was RCB’s stranglehold that Gujarat failed to hit a single six in the Powerplay.
During the middle overs, Krunal Pandya’s economical spell combined with Rasikh Salam’s pinpoint accuracy left the GT middle order completely choked. When Jos Buttler fell for a scratchy 18-ball 20, Gujarat’s hopes of a massive total seemed layout in ruins.
Sundar’s Fighting Fifty Pushes GT Past 150
At one stage, it looked as though Gujarat might struggle to even cross the 100-run mark. However, Washington Sundar spearheaded a late rescue act. Hitting a resilient 50* off 37 balls, he dragged his side to a fighting total of 155. For RCB, young paceman Rasikh Salam was the pick of the bowlers, returning phenomenal figures of 3-27.
The Turning Point and Rashid Khan’s Fightback
RCB’s response began like a house on fire, ammunitioned by a blistering Powerplay that yielded 70 runs. Venkatesh Iyer played a crucial cameo despite battling a knee injury, putting RCB firmly in the driver’s seat.
However, the wily Rashid Khan momentarily turned the game on its head. The Afghan maestro dismissed Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in the exact same over to trigger panic in the RCB dugout. When Tim David departed shortly after, tension was palpable in the stands.
Yet, Kohli stood like a mountain at one end. A crucial slice of luck went RCB’s way when Kohli was caught at mid-off by Shubman Gill, only for the TV umpire’s review to reveal that the ball had scraped the grass—extinguishing GT’s final hope.
From Tears of Relief to Royal Celebrations!
“The defining image of last year’s final was an emotional Kohli, eyes welled with tears, collapsed by the boundary line after clinching a historic first title. A year later, in the 2026 mega final, he stood unbeaten in the middle, launching the ball into the stands to retain the crown. The emotion remains unparalleled, but this time, it is pure, unadulterated ecstasy!”
With this historic defense, RCB has shattered the ‘chokers’ tag once and for all. They are no longer just competitors; they are the new dynasty of the IPL. Congratulations, Royal Challengers Bengaluru!
I am Suvankar Roy, a professional sports journalist with over 4 years of experience and the founder of Sportjupdate. I have interviewed numerous high-profile athletes, bringing a unique insider perspective to every report. Currently an MBA candidate at BIBS, I combine business acumen with a passion for sports to deliver expert analysis.