RCB secure fifth IPL final appearance as defending champions target back-to-back title
The franchise, led by captain Rajat Patidar, aims to become the third team to win consecutive IPL titles after joining Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in that elite group.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured their place in the IPL 2026 final following a victory over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. The win marks the franchise’s fifth appearance in the tournament’s championship match, a milestone achieved within 19 years of their inaugural final appearance in 2009.
Entering the scheduled 2026 final as defending champions, RCB are looking to cement their status as a dominant force in the league. They previously ended an 18-year wait for glory by defeating Punjab Kings to claim their first title in 2025. With captain Rajat Patidar at the helm, the team now aims to become the third franchise to win back-to-back IPL titles, joining the ranks of Chennai Super Kings, who won in 2010 and 2011, and Mumbai Indians, who achieved the feat in 2019 and 2020.
RCB’s history in the finals has been characterised by a mix of high-scoring performances and narrow defeats. Prior to their 2025 breakthrough, the franchise suffered runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Their highest score in a final was recorded in 2016 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where they posted 208/5. Despite significant contributions from Chris Gayle, who scored 76 runs off 38 balls, and Virat Kohli, who contributed 54 runs off 35 balls, RCB fell short of the target of 209 runs.
The franchise’s current finals record stands at one win from four completed matches, resulting in a win percentage of 25%. A victory in the upcoming 2026 final would improve this record to two wins from five appearances, raising their finals win percentage to 40%. The coaching unit, including Andy Flower, has been credited with helping the team crack the IPL formula after years of near misses.
The 2026 final will see RCB face Gujarat Titans again, the same opponents they defeated in Qualifier 1. Gujarat Titans had previously demonstrated their competitive edge in the 2026 playoffs by defeating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, chasing down a target of 163/9 despite an early dismissal of captain Shubman Gill. The stage is now set for RCB to attempt a historic consecutive title win under Patidar’s leadership.
