RCB defeat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to win IPL 2026, with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 75 in a controlled chase
Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the IPL 2026 title on Sunday by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets with 12 balls remaining. Virat Kohli led the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls and helped RCB lift the trophy in style. His match-winning knock added another memorable chapter to his remarkable career.
RCB finished at 161/5 in 18 overs while chasing GT’s total of 155/8. Although the scorecard suggests a comfortable win, RCB completely dominated the final.
Setting The Scene
The IPL 2026 final had everything cricket fans could ask for. The weather remained clear, the pitch offered good bounce, and the outfield was fast. Batters from both teams knew they could score runs on this surface.
RCB captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bowl first. In a final where teams often prefer to chase, his decision proved to be the right one.
Gujarat Titans entered the final after a strong season. Captain Shubman Gill opened the innings with Sai Sudharsan, and for a short period, it looked like GT could post a challenging total.
Gt’s Innings: Good Start, Middle-Order Struggles, Sundar Fights Alone
GT started positively. Shubman Gill scored 10 off 8 balls with two boundaries before Josh Hazlewood dismissed him in the third over. Sai Sudharsan scored 12 off 12 balls before Bhuvneshwar Kumar caught his edge.
At 26/2 inside four overs, GT found themselves under pressure.
Jos Buttler came to the crease and tried to stabilize the innings. However, he never found his rhythm. He scored 19 off 23 balls before Krunal Pandya stumped him in the 13th over.
Nishant Sindhu played some good shots and made 20 off 18 balls. GT rebuilt the innings through small partnerships but lacked a major contribution from the top order.
Washington Sundar then stepped up. Batting at number five, he played the innings GT desperately needed. He scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls. He rotated the strike regularly, found boundaries when needed, and kept the scoreboard moving even as wickets kept falling around him.
Sundar added 27 runs for the seventh wicket with Jason Holder and carried most of the batting responsibility in the final overs.
Mohd Arshad Khan added a quick 15 off 6 balls with two sixes, while Rashid Khan scored 7 off 3 balls. However, GT could only manage 155/8 in 20 overs.
The total looked competitive, but against a batting lineup led by Virat Kohli, it never felt enough.
Rcb’s Bowling: Rasikh, Hazlewood And Bhuvneshwar Lead The Way
RCB’s bowlers built pressure throughout the innings.
Young pacer Rasikh Salam Dar delivered an outstanding spell. He took 3 wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. He dismissed Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan. His economy rate of 6.75 was the best among RCB’s fast bowlers.
Josh Hazlewood continued his disciplined bowling and picked up 2 wickets for 37 runs. He removed Shubman Gill early and later dismissed Mohd Arshad Khan when GT looked ready to accelerate.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar also impressed with figures of 2/29. He bowled tight lines in the powerplay and kept the batters under pressure with several dot balls.
Krunal Pandya dismissed Jos Buttler, while Jacob Duffy went wicketless but helped control the scoring in the death overs.
Washington Sundar’s unbeaten fifty helped GT reach 155, but RCB’s bowlers had already done enough damage.
The Chase: Venkatesh Iyer Attacks, Kohli Takes Control
RCB began the chase aggressively.
Venkatesh Iyer attacked from the first over. Facing Mohammed Siraj, he smashed boundaries and sixes all around the ground. He scored 32 off just 16 balls, including four fours and two sixes.
At the other end, Virat Kohli looked completely in control from the start. He drove, flicked and pulled with confidence. His cover drive against Siraj and his six against Kagiso Rabada showed his intent.
RCB raced to 50 quickly. The opening pair added 62 runs in only 27 balls.
Iyer fell in the fifth over while attempting another big shot, but the damage was already done.
Devdutt Padikkal managed only 1 run before Rabada dismissed him. Rajat Patidar contributed 15 off 13 balls before Rashid Khan removed him.
Krunal Pandya scored just 1 run and became Rashid’s second wicket.
Tim David then supported Kohli with a useful 24 off 17 balls. He played responsibly and allowed Kohli to continue controlling the chase.
Throughout the innings, Kohli remained calm and composed. He kept rotating the strike and punished every loose delivery.
One of the highlights of his innings came in the 12th over when he charged down the pitch and smashed Mohd Arshad Khan over long-on for six, taking RCB past the 100-run mark.
When Tim David got out in the 14th over, RCB needed only 33 runs from 36 balls with Kohli still unbeaten. The result was almost certain by then.
Jitesh Sharma scored 11 off 14 balls and supported Kohli at the other end.
RCB completed the chase in 18 overs and secured a memorable 5-wicket victory.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 from 42 balls. His innings included nine fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 178.57. It was a champion’s innings on the biggest stage.
Numbers That Tell The Story
Gujarat Titans – 155/8 (20 overs)
• Shubman Gill – 10 (8)
• Sai Sudharsan – 12 (12)
• Nishant Sindhu – 20 (18)
• Jos Buttler – 19 (23)
• Washington Sundar* – 50 (37)
• Mohd Arshad Khan – 15 (6)
• Rahul Tewatia – 7 (5)
• Jason Holder – 7 (5)
• Rashid Khan – 7 (3)
RCB Bowling:
• Rasikh Salam Dar – 3/27 (4)
• Josh Hazlewood – 2/37 (4)
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2/29 (4)
• Krunal Pandya – 1/23 (4)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 161/5 (18 overs)
• Venkatesh Iyer – 32 (16)
• Virat Kohli* – 75 (42)
• Devdutt Padikkal – 1 (4)
• Rajat Patidar – 15 (13)
• Krunal Pandya – 1 (2)
• Tim David – 24 (17)
• Jitesh Sharma* – 11 (14)
GT Bowling:
• Rashid Khan – 2/25 (4)
• Mohd Arshad Khan – 1/32 (4)
• Mohammed Siraj – 1/36 (4)
• Kagiso Rabada – 1/44 (3)
What This Means
This title means a lot to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and its fans. For years, the franchise came close to winning the IPL but could not cross the final hurdle. This victory finally rewarded one of the most passionate fan bases in cricket.
For Virat Kohli, the win carries special significance. He has dedicated years of his career to RCB and remained loyal to the franchise through highs and lows. In the biggest match of the season, he delivered exactly what his team needed.
Gujarat Titans will regret their batting performance. Washington Sundar played a brilliant unbeaten fifty, but the top order failed to build a strong foundation. Shubman Gill’s early dismissal hurt the team, and the total proved too small against a confident RCB side.
Rashid Khan bowled well and picked up two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj tried his best to keep the pressure on. However, RCB’s explosive start and Kohli’s masterclass left GT with little chance.
The IPL 2026 trophy now belongs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. And at the center of that triumph stands Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 75 and once again proving why he remains one of cricket’s greatest match-winners.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli – 75 (42 balls)*
