RCB duo joins elite club after securing back-to-back IPL titles
The pair follow Karn Sharma as only the third players in Indian Premier League history to win three consecutive championships, cementing Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dominance in the modern era.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured their second consecutive Indian Premier League title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final held in Ahmedabad. The victory not only marks a significant milestone for the Bengaluru-based franchise but also elevates two of its key players into an exclusive historical category within the tournament.
Phil Salt and Suyash Sharma have now completed an IPL three-peat, winning three consecutive championships across 2024, 2025, and 2026. The duo first claimed the title with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 before joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they added the 2025 and 2026 trophies to their collections. Their consistent performance across two different franchises has placed them in rare company.
They join Karn Sharma as only the third players in the history of the Indian Premier League to achieve three consecutive titles. Sharma accomplished this feat between 2016 and 2018, winning with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings respectively. The rarity of this achievement underscores the difficulty of maintaining championship form across multiple seasons and teams.
The 2026 final in Ahmedabad saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru overcome Gujarat Titans to claim the trophy. This win extends RCB’s recent dominance, having also secured the 2025 title. The victory adds to the growing list of successful franchises in the league, which includes multiple titles for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, as well as recent wins for Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The achievement highlights a shift in the competitive landscape of the IPL, where player movement between franchises has become a critical factor in sustained success. Salt and Sharma’s ability to adapt and lead their teams to victory in three consecutive years distinguishes them from their peers. As the league continues to evolve, their record stands as a benchmark for future contenders aiming for long-term dominance.
The 2026 season concludes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the reigning champions, having defeated Gujarat Titans in the final. The team’s success in back-to-back years, coupled with the individual records of Salt and Sharma, marks a significant chapter in the tournament’s history. The league now looks ahead to the 2027 season, where new challenges and roster changes will test the durability of this new standard of excellence.
