RCB Clinch Back-to-Back IPL Titles After Beating GT by 5 Wickets in IPL 2026 Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru created history by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. Led by a masterclass from Virat Kohli, RCB successfully chased down 156 with two overs to spare, sealing their second consecutive IPL crown.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | 155/8 (20 overs) |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 161/5 (18 overs) |
| Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
RCB captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision paid off as RCB’s disciplined bowling attack restricted a powerful GT batting lineup to a below-par 155/8.
GT’s Innings: Early Promise, Late Collapse
Gujarat Titans started positively but failed to capitalize during the middle overs. While wickets kept falling at regular intervals, the RCB bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings.
The turning point came in the death overs when RCB’s experienced pace attack tightened the screws. Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a crucial spell, finishing with 2 wickets, while the bowlers collectively prevented GT from launching the customary late assault. GT ended with 155/8, a total that looked competitive but not imposing on a good batting surface.
RCB Chase: Kohli Leads From the Front
The chase began aggressively as Venkatesh Iyer attacked from the outset despite battling discomfort. His explosive 32 off just 16 balls gave RCB early momentum and ensured the required run rate never became a concern.
The star of the night, however, was once again Virat Kohli. The veteran opener anchored the innings brilliantly, mixing caution with calculated aggression. He brought up one of the fastest fifties of his IPL career and kept the chase under complete control even after a minor hamstring issue midway through the innings.
Contributions from Rajat Patidar, Tim David and Jitesh Sharma ensured there were no late hiccups. Tim David’s counterattack against the spinners and Jitesh Sharma’s calm finishing touches pushed RCB closer to the target.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 and fittingly finished the chase, taking RCB to 161/5 in 18 overs.
Key Turning Point
One of the decisive moments came in the second over of the chase when Venkatesh Iyer launched a fierce assault on Kagiso Rabada, collecting 18 runs. That over immediately shifted momentum towards RCB and forced GT onto the defensive. Later, Kohli’s aggressive approach against Rabada further weakened Gujarat’s chances of making a comeback.
Player of the Match
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 75-run knock under pressure. At 37 years and 207 days, he became one of the oldest players to win the award in an IPL final.
What This Victory Means
The triumph marks RCB’s second successive IPL title and further strengthens their status as one of the dominant teams of the current era. For GT, it was a remarkable campaign that ended one step short of glory, but their consistency throughout the season earned widespread praise.
Final Result:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to win the IPL 2026 title.
