IPL 2026 Final: Kohli finishes in style as RCB beat GT to win back-to-back titles

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at Ahmedabad to clinch back-to-back titles.

IPL 2026 Final: Kohli finishes in style as RCB beat GT to win back-to-back titles

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the winner's trophy after defeating the Gujarat Titans in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Monday, June 01, 2026. (Photo: IANS)

The IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad ended in dramatic fashion as Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully chased down 156 to clinch back-to-back IPL titles, overcoming Gujarat Titans in a tense but controlled finish.

After opting to field first, RCB produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in their 20 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided early breakthroughs by removing Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan inside the powerplay, setting the tone for a controlled bowling display.

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While Nishant Sindhu and Washington Sundar offered resistance, Sundar anchoring the innings with a composed half-century, regular wickets ensured Gujarat never fully broke free. Rasikh Dar and Bhuvneshwar combined effectively at the death to keep GT to a below-par total despite a few late sparks.

In reply, RCB’s chase was anchored by Virat Kohli, who led from the front with a blazing start, racing to a 25-ball fifty and setting the tone for the pursuit. Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, courtesy of Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan, RCB never lost control of the required rate. Tim David and Jitesh Sharma provided crucial support in the middle overs, keeping the innings on track even during GT’s fightback.


In the end, Kohli held his nerve and finished the chase in trademark style, sealing victory with a six as RCB crossed the line and lifted their second consecutive IPL trophy in a high-pressure final built on control, resilience, and a commanding batting effort.

 

RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final: Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli,,Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Dar

Impact Substitutes:
Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chouhan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox

Gujarat Titans

Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj

Impact Substitutes:
Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore

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