Powered by Virat Kohli’s record-breaking half-century, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title by comfortably chasing down 156 runs to defeat Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli’s unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, including a rapid 25-ball fifty, propelled RCB to victory, maintaining their unbeaten streak whenever Kohli scores a half-century.
In a highly anticipated final, both teams were vying for their second IPL title, seeking to join the ranks of multiple-time champions like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB, the defending champions who clinched their maiden trophy in 2025, now stand as the third team, after MI and CSK, to successfully defend their title, continuing the trend of Qualifier 1 winners lifting the trophy for nine seasons.
Despite Washington Sundar’s valiant fifty for GT, RCB’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Rasikh Salam Dar’s three-wicket haul and early breakthroughs from Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, restricted GT to 155/8. Kohli’s exceptional performance in the final not only secured RCB’s back-to-back title win but also solidified their position alongside MI and CSK as one of the league’s most successful franchises.
