Virat Kohli fifty powers RCB to IPL 2026 title defence over GT
Synopsis
Virat Kohli silenced every doubter who questioned whether RCB could back up their first title — his fifty in the IPL 2026 final steered them to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans, completing a back-to-back championship run that few franchises in IPL history have managed.
Key Takeaways
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final on 31 May .
Virat Kohli top-scored for RCB with a match-defining half-century in the chase.
Gujarat Titans were restricted to 155 for 8 , with Washington Sundar hitting an unbeaten fifty.
Rasikh Salam Dar was RCB's standout bowler, taking 3 for 27 — his best spell of the season.
Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay.
RCB have now won back-to-back IPL titles , cementing their status as the league's dominant force in 2025–26.
Virat Kohli anchored a commanding chase with a brilliant half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defended their IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 31 May. The victory sealed back-to-back IPL crowns for RCB in a final that swung decisively on Kohli's experience and the bowlers' early discipline.
RCB Bowlers Set the Platform
Chasing a modest target, RCB's seamers first did the damage with the ball. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck inside the Powerplay, removing GT openers Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan cheaply and putting the hosts on the back foot from the outset.
Rasikh Salam Dar delivered his best spell of the season, finishing with figures of 3 for 27 to further derail Gujarat's middle-order ambitions. Despite the sustained pressure, Washington Sundar resisted with a fighting unbeaten half-century, helping GT post a competitive 155 for 8 — a total that, on another day, might have tested any side.
Kohli Takes Centre Stage
Kohli's response in the chase was characteristically assured. The veteran batter, whose IPL title drought had been a recurring narrative for over a decade before RCB's first crown, once again rose to the occasion in a knockout fixture. His fifty provided the innings with both foundation and momentum, ensuring RCB never lost their grip on the chase.
Notably, this is the second successive IPL title for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, confirming their transformation from perennial contenders to genuine dynasty builders in the T20 league.
Gujarat Titans Fall Short
For Gujarat Titans, the defeat ends a campaign that showed promise but ultimately could not withstand RCB's twin strengths of seam bowling and top-order batting. Sundar's unbeaten knock was a lone bright spot in an otherwise difficult final, as GT's top order failed to convert starts against a disciplined RCB attack.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
Kohli's match-defining performance adds another chapter to his storied IPL career, reinforcing his standing as one of the format's all-time great performers in pressure situations. RCB's title defence also signals a structural shift in the franchise's fortunes — built on seam depth, overseas pace, and the reliability of their iconic No. 3.
With the IPL 2026 season now concluded, attention will turn to the player retention window and the auction cycle ahead of the next edition.
Point of View
But with seam depth and Kohli doing what Kohli does in finals. The real talking point is Rasikh Salam Dar: a young pacer delivering a 3-wicket haul on the biggest stage suggests RCB have built a bowling pipeline, not just a batting showcase. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, face hard questions about their top-order fragility — losing Gill and Sudharsan inside the Powerplay in a final is a pattern they cannot afford to repeat. For the IPL as a competition, back-to-back dominance by one franchise will sharpen the auction battle next cycle.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the IPL 2026 final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL 2026 final, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 31 May. It is RCB's second successive IPL title.
How did Virat Kohli perform in the IPL 2026 final?
Virat Kohli played a match-defining innings, scoring a half-century that anchored RCB's successful chase of 155. His knock provided the stability and momentum needed to see RCB over the line with five wickets in hand.
What score did Gujarat Titans post in the IPL 2026 final?
Gujarat Titans were restricted to 155 for 8 in their allotted overs. Washington Sundar top-scored with an unbeaten half-century, but the top order collapsed after early wickets from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Who were the standout bowlers for RCB in the final?
Rasikh Salam Dar was the pick of the RCB bowlers, taking 3 for 27 in his best spell of the season. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also struck early, removing Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay.
Where was the IPL 2026 final played?
The IPL 2026 final was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 31 May. It is the world's largest cricket stadium by capacity.
