Superb Clinical RCB defend IPL Crown 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their Indian Premier League title after defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at Ahmedabad. After ending an 18-year wait for their maiden championship last season, and this year, the RCB defend the IPL crown superbly. They have now become only the third franchise in IPL history to win back-to-back titles.
Winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to field first on a surface that offered assistance to the seamers. His bowlers made the most of the conditions, restricting the Gujarat Titans to 155 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
The breakthrough came early when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill. Hazlewood once again proved his value in major matches, continuing his remarkable record of never losing a T20 or ODI final. Bhuvneshwar Kumar added to the pressure by removing B Sai Sudharsan, while Rasikh Salam delivered another impressive performance, claiming three wickets to finish a breakthrough season on a high note.
Gujarat’s highly successful opening pair of Gill and Sudharsan, both of whom had crossed the 700-run mark this season, failed to provide the strong start that had carried the team throughout the tournament. Their early departures left GT struggling to build momentum.
The middle overs belonged to RCB. Krunal Pandya bowled with exceptional control, conceding only 23 runs in his four overs while taking the crucial wicket of Jos Buttler. His disciplined spell prevented Gujarat from accelerating and continued his impressive record in IPL finals. Salam complemented him perfectly, maintaining pressure and picking up key wickets at important moments.
Washington Sundar fought back for Gujarat with a determined half-century, but regular wickets prevented the Titans from launching a major late assault. RCB’s pace attack remained disciplined throughout the death overs, ensuring the target stayed within reach.
Chasing 156 for victory, RCB got off to an aggressive start through Venkatesh Iyer. Despite suffering a knee injury early in the innings, Iyer attacked the bowlers and scored a quick 32 from just 16 deliveries, giving RCB early momentum.
Virat Kohli then took charge of the chase with one of his finest playoff performances. Playing with confidence and intent, Kohli reached his fastest IPL fifty and produced his highest score in a knockout match. He attacked Gujarat’s bowling from the outset, particularly targeting Kagiso Rabada with a series of boundaries and a towering six.
Although Gujarat managed to pick up a few wickets through Rabada and Rashid Khan, the required run rate remained comfortably under control. Kohli’s positive approach ensured that RCB never lost command of the chase.
The former captain remained at the crease until the closing stages and fittingly sealed the victory with a boundary and a six. RCB reached the target with two overs remaining, sparking celebrations among players and fans alike.
The triumph further strengthens RCB’s position among the IPL’s elite franchises. Their balanced squad, experienced bowling attack, and match-winning performers once again proved decisive on the biggest stage. For the Gujarat Titans, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an otherwise excellent campaign, as they fell short in their third IPL final appearance in five seasons.
With consecutive championships now secured, RCB have firmly established themselves as the dominant force of the current IPL era.
The title is special for the RCB skipper.
Rajat Patidar walked into the press conference room in Ahmedabad around 1 am on Monday with the IPL trophy in his hands and a big smile on his face. It was a special night for him and RCB, as they had just won back-to-back IPL titles. Even though he usually doesn’t show much emotion, his happiness was clear.
It was even more special because it was his 33rd birthday.
“I’m feeling great. It’s a great feeling, and it’s my birthday. There can’t be a better gift than this,” he said. “I try to live in the present. We have won back-to-back titles, and we will celebrate this, but now the focus is on winning a third one. Nothing is bigger than winning trophies. Individual performances don’t matter more than the team.”
He said this season felt easier compared to the previous one because the team dominated most of the matches.
“Last year we had more pressure,” he explained. “This year I was calmer. We played really well throughout the tournament, and I believed we could win again if we kept playing like that.”
Patidar also spoke about his role as captain. He said he is not very expressive but tries to understand game situations well. He also thanked the management and players for supporting him.
He shared that he worked hard on his batting, especially in the off-season with Dinesh Karthik, focusing on small technical improvements. This helped him have his best IPL season, scoring 501 runs at a high strike rate.
He also praised the team environment, saying the mindset of players has improved and the coaching staff treats everyone equally, whether they are senior players or newcomers.
Patidar appreciated the work of bowling coach Omkar Salvi, saying he spends a lot of time individually with bowlers and helps them improve. He also praised head coach Andy Flower, calling him one of the best coaches he has worked with because of how well he supports every player, including those not in the playing XI.
However, the interview became emotional when he spoke about the tragic stampede after RCB’s previous title win, where several fans lost their lives. He said it was heartbreaking.
“You feel bad… they were not just fans, they were like family,” he said. “I want to dedicate this trophy to them. No words can express it.”
