Kohli's 75 seals Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL titles over Gujarat

Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained the Indian Premier League title on Sunday, May 31, 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75 as Bengaluru overhauled 156 with 12 balls to spare. The title defence capped a campaign in which Rajat Patidar’s side finished top of the 10-team league stage.

The result delivered Bengaluru a second IPL championship in 18 attempts, following their breakthrough win last year. Captain Rajat Patidar joined a select group of skippers to lift consecutive IPL trophies.

Bengaluru’s bowlers set up the victory by holding Gujarat to 155-8. Rasikh Salam led a disciplined attack with 3-27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets each. Only Washington Sundar resisted for Gujarat, compiling a defiant 50 not out to carry his side to a competitive but ultimately insufficient total. The final drew an official attendance of more than 90,000, underscoring the scale of the occasion at the world’s largest cricket ground.

Kohli’s innings, his fifth half-century of the season, came at a rapid tempo as he struck nine fours and three sixes in 42 balls. He shared a 62-run opening stand with Venkatesh Iyer, who blasted 32 off 16 to give the chase early impetus.

Rashid Khan briefly shifted momentum for Gujarat with two wickets in an over, removing Patidar for 15 and later dismissing Krunal Pandya, but Bengaluru’s middle order absorbed the pressure. Tim David added 24 and Jitesh Sharma provided support as Kohli finished the job with a flourish.

Earlier, Bengaluru’s decision to field was rewarded with early breakthroughs. Hazlewood removed captain Shubman Gill for 10 and Kumar dismissed Sai Sudharsan for 12 as Gujarat’s top order faltered. Salam then prised out Nishant Sindhu for 20 and Krunal Pandya’s left-arm spin accounted for Jos Buttler, stumped for 19, leaving Gujarat 73-4 and struggling to build a platform. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, but Sundar held firm to raise his fifty in the 20th over.

Kohli anchors chase after disciplined bowling

RCB restrict Gujarat to 155-8

Bengaluru’s quicks maintained tight lines through the middle overs to deny Gujarat any sustained acceleration. The combined returns of Salam, Hazlewood and Kumar validated the call to bowl first, as Gujarat’s attempts to rebuild were repeatedly checked. Despite Sundar’s composure at the death, the total looked light once Bengaluru’s openers found rhythm.

Powerplay platform proves decisive

The 62-run opening stand effectively broke the chase open. Even after Rashid’s double strike raised Gujarat’s hopes, Kohli’s tempo control and strike rotation steadied Bengaluru. A 41-run partnership with Tim David restored command before Kohli, batting with Jitesh Sharma, sealed victory with a towering six.

Records, awards and captaincy milestones

Kohli named player of the match

Kohli finished fourth on the season’s run charts with 675 and was named player of the match for his decisive 75 not out. He said post-match that he had long visualised closing out a final and credited the squad’s belief and clarity for their composure under pressure. His iconic No. 18 jersey dominated the stands throughout the evening.

Patidar joins elite company; Sooryavanshi tops run charts

Patidar became one of a handful of captains to win back-to-back IPL titles, following M.S. Dhoni (2010–11) and Rohit Sharma (2019–20). He described this campaign as calmer, noting a consistent level across the league stage after Bengaluru finished top of the 10-team table. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals claimed the Orange Cap with 776 runs and swept the player of the tournament and emerging player awards. Gill (732) and Sudharsan (722) placed second and third respectively.

Gujarat, runners-up for the second time in three finals since their 2022 debut title, praised Bengaluru’s attack. Batting coach Matthew Hayden said his side could not gain traction in the powerplay against a relentless opposition. Attention now turns to off-season reviews and squad planning as franchises assess combinations for next year’s campaign.