Ahmedabad: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully retained their Indian Premier League crown after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the TATA IPL 2026 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 156, RCB reached 161 for five with two overs remaining, becoming only the third franchise in IPL history to win consecutive titles after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The victory was built around a disciplined bowling performance followed by a composed innings from veteran batter Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 75 from 42 balls to guide his side home.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first, and the decision paid immediate dividends as the Bengaluru pace attack dismantled Gujarat’s top order. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed key batters Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan early, while short-pitched bowling prevented Gujarat from building meaningful partnerships. Despite the surrounding collapse, Washington Sundar produced a fighting, unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries to help Gujarat Titans post 155 for eight. Late contributions from Arshad Khan and others lifted the total after Gujarat appeared headed for a much lower score.
RCB’s chase began aggressively as Kohli and impact substitute Venkatesh Iyer raced to the fastest team fifty ever recorded in an IPL final. Iyer struck 32 off 16 balls before Mohammed Siraj provided Gujarat with a breakthrough.Gujarat briefly threatened a comeback when Rashid Khan dismissed Patidar and Krunal Pandya in quick succession. Tim David also departed after a successful review, giving the Titans a glimmer of hope.
However, Kohli ensured there would be no late drama. The former India captain reached his half-century in just 25 deliveries and controlled the chase with a blend of calculated aggression and experience. Jitesh Sharma provided steady support as RCB crossed the finish line comfortably.
The title capped another dominant season for Bengaluru, who had also defeated Gujarat Titans convincingly in Qualifier 1 to reach the final. For Gujarat, it marked another painful near miss despite a strong campaign that saw them reach their third IPL final in five seasons.
