Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their name deeper into IPL history, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the TATA IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium to successfully defend their crown. Chasing 156, RCB reached 161/5 with 12 balls to spare, becoming only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to retain the IPL title.

The triumph gave RCB their second IPL trophy, taking them level with multiple-title winners and cementing their place among the competition's most successful sides.

Having won the toss, captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first — a decision that paid dividends almost immediately.

The RCB seamers bulldozed GT’s prominent batting line-up with their short ball ploy. Six of the eight GT batters were out to short length deliveries. The ploy was successfully launched by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissing Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan respectively and the GT batters struggled to establish any momentum.

2️⃣ massive wickets. 1️⃣ dream start! 💥

What a start for #RCB in Ahmedabad 🔥

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The pattern continued throughout the innings. Nishant Sindhu attempted to counterattack but lost his footing while going for a big hit and holed out on the boundary. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Gujarat found themselves unable to build the partnerships that had defined their campaign.

Washington Sundar stood alone amidst the collapse. The left-hander produced a composed unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries, holding the innings together while wickets tumbled around him. His resistance was crucial in dragging GT to a respectable total after they had repeatedly lost momentum.

Fighting fire with fire! 🔥

Crucial, invaluable runs from Washington Sundar 👏

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The lower order briefly threatened a late flourish. Arshad Khan struck 15 off six balls before falling to Hazlewood, Rahul Tewatia managed only seven before Rasikh Salam struck, while Jason Holder's dismissal for seven gave Bhuvneshwar his 28th wicket of the season. Rashid Khan's brief cameo ended when Rasikh struck again as GT finished on 155/8.

RCB's response could not have begun in more emphatic fashion.

Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer tore into the chase, bringing up the team fifty in just 3.3 overs — the fastest fifty by a side in an IPL final. The opening partnership immediately seized control of the contest and placed GT under immense pressure.

Iyer's promotion proved a masterstroke. Introduced as an Impact Player later in the game, he smashed 32 off just 16 deliveries before Mohammed Siraj finally broke through. Kagiso Rabada then removed Devdutt Padikkal for one, a wicket that secured the Purple Cap for him this season.

GT briefly sensed an opening when Rashid Khan dismissed both Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya within four deliveries. Tim David also fell after a successful review, giving Gujarat a glimmer of hope.

But Virat Kohli was never let the chase drift.

The former captain produced another masterclass under pressure, reaching his half-century in just 25 balls before expertly pacing the remainder of the innings. Mixing calculated aggression with trademark composure, Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, ensuring there would be no late drama.

Finishing off in style 🥳

And it's none other than King Kohli 😎👑

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Jitesh Sharma provided calm support at the other end as RCB crossed the finish line with two overs to spare.

Kohli was the heartbeat of the chase and the obvious Player of the Match, finishing as the defining figure of another championship-winning campaign. For Patidar's side, it was the perfect ending to a season that gathered momentum at precisely the right time.

For Gujarat Titans, it was a painful repeat of history. After dominating much of the season and reaching another final, they once again fell short — three years after their heartbreaking defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 title clash.

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