RCB claims second consecutive IPL title as Patidar leads Gujarat Titans defeat

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 in Ahmedabad. 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 win extends the streak of Qualifier 1 winners going on to lift the trophy to nine consecutive seasons. It also places captain Rajat Patidar in elite company, making him only the third skipper in IPL history to win back-to-back titles. Patidar joins MS Dhoni, who achieved the feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, and Rohit Sharma, who led Mumbai Indians to glory in 2019 and 2020.

Virat Kohli anchored RCB’s chase of 156 runs with an unbeaten 75, guiding the team home with two overs to spare. The star batter finished the season as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 675 runs, including one century and five half-centuries. Kohli’s performance was pivotal in neutralising the pressure of the final, providing the stability required to secure the championship.

Following the match, Patidar took to social media to summarise the achievement with the post “Ee Sala Cup Namdu”. In his post-match reflections, the captain noted that the mental approach this season differed significantly from the pressure experienced during their maiden title win in 2025. He described the current campaign as “more calm”, citing the team’s dominant performance throughout the tournament as the source of their confidence.

Patidar also addressed his leadership style, stating that his calm demeanour should not be mistaken for a lack of awareness. He emphasised the importance of backing from both the management and the players, while reserving special praise for Kohli’s influence on and off the field. Patidar noted that the squad spends significant time learning from the veteran batter, attributing much of their success to his guidance regarding cricket and general conduct.