Kohli's 675-run season crowns RCB's back-to-back IPL 2026 title defence
Synopsis
Virat Kohli's 675-run season ended with an unbeaten 75 in the final and a heartfelt 'this place is HOME' post on X. RCB's back-to-back IPL title makes them only the third franchise in the tournament's history to defend the crown — and reframes a franchise once defined by glorious failures.
Key Takeaways
RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final on 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad .
Virat Kohli finished unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls , hitting nine fours and three sixes to seal the chase.
Kohli scored 675 runs in the 2026 season at a strike rate of 165.54 , with five fifties and one century .
RCB are only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title.
Kohli posted an emotional tribute on X , calling RCB 'HOME' after 19 years with the franchise.
Virat Kohli posted an emotional message on X on 9 June 2026, reflecting on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) back-to-back Indian Premier League (IPL) title triumph — a feat that places the Bengaluru franchise among only three sides in IPL history to successfully defend the championship.
The Final in Ahmedabad
RCB sealed the IPL 2026 title on 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, defeating the Gujarat Titans by five wickets. Led by captain Rajat Patidar, Bengaluru first restricted Gujarat to 155/8 in their 20 overs, then chased the target down with two overs to spare.
Kohli's Match-Winning Knock
Kohli was the architect of the run chase, finishing unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls — an innings laced with nine boundaries and three sixes. He guided RCB across the finish line even as Gujarat made late inroads, saving his finest performance for the biggest occasion.
A Season to Remember
Across the 2026 IPL season, Kohli amassed 675 runs at a striking rate of 165.54, registering five half-centuries and one century. The season also marked 19 years of his association with RCB — a tenure that has now produced back-to-back titles.
Kohli's Message: 'This Place Is Home'
'Started the season with belief. Ended with back-to-back titles. This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because this place is HOME!' Kohli wrote in his post on X.
The message captures a sentiment that has long defined Kohli's bond with RCB — through years of near-misses before the franchise's first title, and now two consecutive championships. Notably, RCB join a very short list of franchises to defend the IPL crown, a challenge that historically has undone even dominant sides.
What It Means for RCB's Legacy
The back-to-back triumph fundamentally reshapes RCB's narrative. Long associated with high-profile players and heartbreaking exits, the franchise has now built a winning culture under Patidar's leadership and with Kohli's batting as its cornerstone. With the core squad likely to remain intact, RCB will head into IPL 2027 as defending champions for the second straight year.
Point of View
And RCB will face sharper targeting from opposition analysts in 2027. Patidar's captaincy has been underreported in this narrative — his tactical decisions in the final, particularly the bowling changes that held Gujarat to 155, deserve scrutiny alongside Kohli's batting heroics.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did RCB win the IPL 2026 final?
RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final on 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After bowling Gujarat out for 155/8, Bengaluru chased the target down with two overs to spare, led by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75.
What did Virat Kohli post after RCB's IPL 2026 title win?
Kohli posted a video on X saying: 'Started the season with belief. Ended with back-to-back titles. This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because this place is HOME!'
How many runs did Virat Kohli score in IPL 2026?
Kohli scored 675 runs in the IPL 2026 season at a strike rate of 165.54, including five half-centuries and one century. He also played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 75 off 42 balls in the final.
Which franchises have defended the IPL title successfully?
RCB are only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the IPL championship, having won back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026. The achievement places them in rare company in the tournament's history.
Who captained RCB in IPL 2026?
Rajat Patidar captained RCB in IPL 2026, leading the team through the season and the final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on 31 May 2026.
