RCB claim second consecutive IPL title as Kohli leads clinical defence
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 guides Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket victory, cementing their status as the premier franchise in the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured their second consecutive Indian Premier League title, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The victory establishes the franchise as only the third side in competition history, alongside Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to successfully defend the crown.
The Rajat Patidar-led side first restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 before chasing down the target with five wickets in hand and two overs to spare. The win follows their initial title triumph in 2025 and cements their dominance after topping the league stage in the 2026 season.
Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in the chase, remaining unbeaten on 75 to anchor the successful run chase. Following the match, Kohli celebrated with his wife, Anushka Sharma, and batting coach Dinesh Karthik, wearing a T-shirt bearing the message "One felt nice, we did it twice".
Kohli credited the team’s depth and composure for the successful title defence, highlighting the distribution of Man of the Match awards across the group as evidence of collective strength. He pointed to the contributions of bowlers including Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Krunal Pandya, and Rasikh Salam Dar as key factors in the clinical performance.
Reflecting on the tournament, Kohli noted that the pressure felt different this year compared to the previous campaign. He stated that the team’s maturity and ability to top the league table provided a clear strategic advantage, allowing them to execute their plans with confidence throughout the competition.
