RCB Defend IPL Title: Virat Kohli's Unbeaten 75 Powers Bengaluru to Victory Over Gujarat Titans
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Gandhinagar
- May 31, 2026
- 85
Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL (Indian Premier League (IPL) Official Website) crown, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final to secure a second successive championship.
The summit clash was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, where Bengaluru (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Official Website) captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to field first. Batting first, Gujarat Titans managed to post 155/8 from their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 156 for victory, Bengaluru reached the target comfortably, scoring 161/5 in 18 overs. Star batter Virat Kohli anchored the innings brilliantly, remaining unbeaten on 75 to guide his side home.
RCB's bowlers produced a disciplined collective performance after being asked to field. They struck early blows, removing Gujarat captain Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan during the Powerplay. The Titans struggled to build momentum thereafter and finished with a below-par total.
The run chase began aggressively for Bengaluru as Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer provided a rapid start. Their attacking partnership reduced the equation significantly inside the first six overs. Although RCB lost several wickets in the middle phase, Kohli remained in complete control and steadied the innings.
The former India captain reached his fifty in just 25 deliveries, making it the quickest half-century of his IPL career. He continued to dictate the chase and sealed the victory in style with a six, finishing unbeaten as Bengaluru crossed the finish line with 12 balls remaining.
With the triumph, Rajat Patidar entered an elite list of IPL captains, becoming only the third skipper to win back-to-back titles. Previously, MS Dhoni achieved the feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, while Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to consecutive championships in 2019 and 2020.
The victory also elevated Royal Challengers Bengaluru into the exclusive group of franchises with multiple IPL trophies, joining Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Looking back at IPL history, Rajasthan Royals captured the inaugural title in 2008 after defeating Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in a memorable final. The now-defunct Deccan Chargers followed that success in 2009 by overcoming RCB in the championship match. Bengaluru had claimed their maiden IPL title the previous season, edging Punjab Kings by six runs in Ahmedabad before successfully retaining the trophy this year.
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