Kohli's 75* in IPL 2026 final: De Villiers hails his chase mastery
Synopsis
AB de Villiers called Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 in the IPL 2026 final 'absolutely phenomenal', crediting his chase mastery and calmness for RCB's five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans. With back-to-back titles now secured at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli's place as the definitive big-game batter of his era looks more unassailable than ever.
Key Takeaways
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) in the IPL 2026 final on 1 June 2026 .
RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets , chasing down 156 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad .
The win gives RCB back-to-back IPL titles , having also won at the same venue in 2025 .
AB de Villiers credited Kohli's calmness and chase-reading ability, saying GT erred by bowling to his strengths early.
Kohli is next in action for India vs Afghanistan in a 3-match ODI series starting 13 June in Dharamshala .
Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in chase batting as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second successive IPL title on 1 June 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Kohli's unbeaten 42-ball 75, studded with nine fours and three sixes, steered RCB home in a chase of 156, prompting former RCB stalwart AB de Villiers to lavish praise on the veteran batter's composure and match-reading ability.
De Villiers on Kohli's Chase Craft
Speaking on JioHotstar, de Villiers was unequivocal about Kohli's indispensability in a run chase. 'In a final, if you take him out of that chasing batting order, then everything looks a bit different,' he said. 'With Rashid Khan firing from one end, and some of the other GT bowlers also doing really well, he just brings that calmness.'
De Villiers highlighted how Kohli's ability to read the tempo of an innings sets him apart. 'He knows how to pace a chase right through the innings and finish it off. And it's very fitting that he was there right at the end, scoring the winning runs,' he added. The tribute carried particular weight given de Villiers' own storied partnership with Kohli across multiple RCB campaigns.
How Gujarat Titans Erred in Their Bowling Plan
De Villiers was pointed in his assessment of Gujarat Titans' tactical misstep. 'GT were a bit naughty in feeding him into his strengths. A lot of deliveries were on the legs in his first 20-30 runs,' he observed. 'If you give one of the best players of all time a start like that, he's always going to punish you. Once he started flowing, it was just plain sailing, one-way traffic.'
The observation underscores a recurring challenge for opposition sides — containing Kohli in the early overs before he finds his rhythm. On this occasion, GT's bowlers reportedly struggled to execute their plans under the pressure of a title decider.
Back-to-Back Champions: RCB's Quiet Confidence
De Villiers also reflected on the contrasting emotional textures of RCB's two consecutive title triumphs. 'It was a lot easier than last year, that's for sure. Last year was emotional, and we weren't sure what was going to happen,' he said. 'This year, when I saw Virat before the start of the game, there was quiet confidence. We've been here before, we know how it works and what the formula is.'
RCB had won their maiden IPL title at the same Narendra Modi Stadium in 2025, and retaining it on the identical venue lent the triumph a sense of full-circle finality. 'What a remarkable achievement, back-to-back champions. I couldn't be prouder,' de Villiers added.
What's Next for Kohli
Kohli is set to return to international duty when India host Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series beginning 13 June in Dharamshala. Coming off a title-winning knock, the right-hander will carry considerable momentum into the white-ball assignment. How India manage his workload across formats in the weeks ahead will be closely watched.
Point of View
Waited for the bad ball, and accelerated only when the chase was under control. De Villiers' critique of GT's bowling is the real sub-story: feeding a batter of Kohli's calibre on the legs in the opening phase of a final is a strategic failure, not bad luck. RCB's back-to-back wins also reframe the franchise's long-running narrative of near-misses; they are now a team that knows how to win titles, not just reach finals. The question heading into next season is whether this core group, with Kohli at its centre, has the depth to sustain a third run.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did AB de Villiers say about Virat Kohli's IPL 2026 final knock?
De Villiers said Kohli 'knows how to pace a chase right through the innings and finish it off', describing his unbeaten 75 as 'absolutely phenomenal'. He praised Kohli's calmness under pressure and noted it was fitting that he scored the winning runs.
How did RCB win the IPL 2026 final?
RCB chased down 156 against Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 June 2026. Virat Kohli's unbeaten 42-ball 75 was the centrepiece of the chase.
Is this RCB's first IPL title?
No, it is their second consecutive title. RCB won their maiden IPL championship at the same Narendra Modi Stadium in 2025 and retained it in 2026, becoming back-to-back champions.
What tactical mistake did Gujarat Titans make according to de Villiers?
De Villiers said GT bowled too many deliveries on Kohli's legs in his first 20-30 runs, effectively giving him a comfortable start. He noted that giving 'one of the best players of all time a start like that' is always going to be punished.
When does Virat Kohli play next after the IPL 2026 final?
Kohli is scheduled to play for India against Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series beginning 13 June 2026 in Dharamshala.
