Bengaluru have retained their Indian Premier League title and defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final to claim their second consecutive title. Virat Kohli was the best match winner as he played an all-round game again and again he showed once again why he is one of the most powerful match-winners in the history of the tournament.
Bengaluru had to win the final in front of a packed stadium and Bengaluru was confident after the season’s successful performance. Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, were equally determined to win the title and set up a title clash between two of the season's best teams.
Kohli rose to the occasion when it mattered the most. The veteran batsman anchored the innings with timing, placement, and temperament to ensure RCB posted a competitive total in the final. His knock laid the basis for Bengaluru’s success and put pressure on the Gujarat bowlers throughout the innings.
In contrast, the Gujarat Titans were not able to build momentum as they failed to get off to a good start. Captain Shubman Gill was not able to convert his start, and Sai Sudharsan also failed to play a match-winning innings. RCB’s disciplined bowling attack kept the Titans’ batting lineup under constant pressure, taking wickets at key moments and preventing any meaningful partnerships from developing.
As the required run rate kept climbing, Gujarat’s hopes of winning the trophy diminished. Bengaluru’s bowlers and fielders kept going until the final ball, eventually reaching a memorable win and cheering the players and fans of Bengaluru.
The win is another great achievement for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which made them one of the few teams to win back-to-back IPL titles. It is also the latest chapter in Virat Kohli's long career in IPL, which has been so good to date, with the batsman on the big stage again.
The defeat for the Gujarat Titans will be a disappointment after their fantastic season of progress. But Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and the team throughout the campaign are still the team’s most formidable, and they have promise in the future.
The focus, however, was on Virat Kohli, who was the man in the final when RCB were celebrating their championship victory and took the spotlight for his special contribution, and it is the one that took Bengaluru to two IPL titles in a row and solidified their place as the champions in the IPL 2026.
