RCB retain IPL title with five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained their Indian Premier League title, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final held in Ahmedabad. The victory marks the second successive championship for the Bengaluru franchise, concluding a dominant season with a comprehensive win on a surface that offered limited assistance to stroke-makers.

Gujarat Titans posted a total of 155/8 after being restricted by early breakthroughs from RCB bowlers. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan within the powerplay, while Rasikh Salam Dar contributed figures of 3/27. Washington Sundar fought a solitary battle with an unbeaten half-century for the Titans, but the team could not recover from the early loss of wickets.

In response, RCB chased down the target with 12 balls to spare. Virat Kohli remained the pivotal figure, scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. His innings was supported by a strong start from Venkatesh Iyer and a quick-fire 24 off 17 balls from Tim David, with Kohli sealing the victory with a six.

The financial rewards for the playoff teams reflect the scale of the competition, with the total prize pool exceeding ₹46.5 crore. Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured the largest share with ₹20 crore in prize money for the championship. Gujarat Titans, despite the defeat, earned ₹13 crore as runners-up, having recovered from an inconsistent start to the season to reach their second IPL final.

Rajasthan Royals finished third, earning ₹7 crore, while Sunrisers Hyderabad took fourth place with ₹6.5 crore. The distribution of funds underscores the commercial weight of the tournament’s conclusion, with the finalists leaving Ahmedabad with significant financial returns alongside their competitive results.