IPL 2026 final: Gill says 180-190 would have made it a contest after GT's 5-wicket loss
Synopsis
Shubman Gill's honest admission — that GT needed at least 180 to make the IPL 2026 final a contest — underlines how RCB's pace attack strangled the chase before it began. Kohli's unbeaten 75, with a 25-ball fifty, did the rest. RCB now stand alongside Mumbai Indians and CSK as the only franchises to defend an IPL title.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Titans lost the IPL 2026 final by five wickets to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad .
Captain Shubman Gill said a total of 180-190 would have made the match competitive; GT posted only 155 .
Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 75 , including his fastest IPL fifty off 25 balls , to seal the chase with two overs to spare.
Rasikh Salam Dar took 3 for 27 ; Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also struck early.
RCB join Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to successfully defend an IPL title.
GT received ₹12.5 crore as runners-up; Mohammed Siraj led with 172 dot balls and Sai Sudharsan hit the most fours ( 75 ) in the season.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that his side's below-par batting display cost them the IPL 2026 title, saying a total of 180-190 could have made it a competitive final. GT were beaten by five wickets by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 June 2026, as RCB successfully defended their crown.
Gill's Post-Match Assessment
'If we'd have gotten 180-190, it'd have been a good match. Maybe a little two-paced but not too much. There's some early movement for pacers. We lost early wickets and never got momentum. We felt we'll be in the game if we took 1-2 wickets in the powerplay,' Gill said at the post-match presentation.
He also conceded that GT gave away 15-20 runs too many in the back end of their innings. 'We were one of the best bowling sides. We came back strong after losing the first two games. Kept challenging and improving ourselves. Very happy overall. Couldn't get over the line. Still would've had things to improve on even if we'd won the trophy,' he added.
Kohli's Masterclass Seals the Chase
Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 — featuring his fastest-ever IPL fifty off just 25 balls — anchored RCB's chase of 156 with two overs to spare. The win elevated RCB into elite company, making them only the third franchise after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to successfully defend an IPL title.
RCB Bowlers Set the Platform
RCB's pace attack had earlier dismantled GT's top order on a mixed-soil pitch. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early, while Rasikh Salam Dar returned figures of 3 for 27 to restrict GT. A fighting fifty from Washington Sundar helped GT post 155, but the total ultimately fell short against Kohli's brilliance.
Individual Honours and Prize Money
Despite finishing as runners-up, GT received a cheque of ₹12.5 crore. Pacer Mohammed Siraj was recognised for bowling the most dot balls in the season — 172 — while left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan claimed the award for the most fours hit in the competition, with 75 boundaries to his name.
With RCB now back-to-back champions, the spotlight will shift to the auction table and team compositions ahead of the next season — and whether GT can address their top-order fragility to mount another title challenge.
Point of View
But the deeper problem for GT is structural: their top order has repeatedly failed to fire in knockout pressure. Posting 155 in an IPL final — on a ground where 180 is par — reflects a batting unit that plays beautifully in the league stage but tightens under the biggest lights. RCB's success, meanwhile, is built on a clear identity: Kohli at the top and a pace-first bowling unit. GT will need to answer a harder question before next season — not just 'how do we score more?' but 'who do we trust when it matters most?'
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the IPL 2026 final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 June 2026. RCB chased down 156 with two overs to spare.
What did Shubman Gill say after the IPL 2026 final?
Gill admitted GT fell short with the bat, saying a total of 180-190 would have made the final competitive. He also acknowledged GT conceded 15-20 runs too many and could not build momentum after losing early wickets.
How did Virat Kohli perform in the IPL 2026 final?
Kohli scored an unbeaten 75, including his fastest IPL fifty off just 25 balls, to guide RCB to the title. His innings sealed the chase with two overs remaining.
Which teams have successfully defended an IPL title?
RCB's win makes them only the third franchise to defend an IPL title, joining Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The achievement places them among the most dominant sides in the tournament's history.
What individual awards were given at the IPL 2026 final?
Mohammed Siraj won the award for most dot balls in the season with 172, while Sai Sudharsan claimed the prize for most fours hit in the competition with 75. Gujarat Titans also received ₹12.5 crore as runners-up prize money.
