Virat Kohli, Patidar and More: Inside RCB's IPL 2026 Championship Run
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Jun 01, 2026
- 126
After spending nearly two decades searching for IPL (IPL Official Website) glory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Official Website) have now established themselves as one of the league’s dominant forces. Following their long-awaited championship breakthrough, RCB successfully defended their crown by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final on Sunday, securing back-to-back titles.
With the victory, Rajat Patidar joined an elite group of IPL captains. He became only the third skipper in tournament history to guide his side to consecutive championships, following the achievements of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
A defining feature of Bengaluru’s campaign was their collective contribution. Instead of depending on a single superstar, the franchise received match-winning performances from several players. The batting unit was powered by Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, while the bowling attack thrived through the efforts of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam and Josh Hazlewood. Their depth was evident as eight different players earned Player of the Match honors during the season.
Key Reasons Behind RCB’s IPL 2026 Triumph
1. A Reliable Top Order Laid the Foundation
Bengaluru’s batting lineup consistently provided strong starts throughout the tournament. Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his class, finishing the final unbeaten on 75 and steering his side to victory. Across 16 matches, he amassed 675 runs at an impressive strike rate of 165.84, registering five fifties and a century.
Captain Rajat Patidar complemented Kohli brilliantly. The aggressive right-hander accumulated 501 runs from 15 appearances while maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 192.69. Devdutt Padikkal added further stability by contributing 464 runs.
Together, the trio amassed 1,640 runs during the campaign. Venkatesh Iyer also played an important supporting role, scoring 209 runs in six innings, including a valuable 32 off 16 deliveries in the championship match. Their consistency ensured the middle order rarely faced pressure situations.
2. A Well-Balanced Bowling Attack Delivered Consistently
RCB’s bowling department emerged as one of the most complete units in the competition. Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearheaded the attack, collecting 28 wickets in 16 games. Rasikh Salam impressed with 19 scalps in just 12 matches, while Josh Hazlewood claimed 15 wickets from 13 appearances. Jacob Duffy also made a notable contribution with nine wickets in six outings.
The spin department was anchored by Krunal Pandya, who excelled as an all-rounder. Alongside scoring 226 runs, he claimed 14 wickets and became one of the most influential players of the season.
Whenever the fast bowlers failed to make breakthroughs, Krunal and Suyash Sharma stepped up by controlling the scoring rate and applying pressure during the middle overs. Suyash finished with nine wickets, helping create a balanced attack that distinguished Bengaluru from many rival teams.
3. Multiple Players Stepped Up in Crucial Moments
Championship-winning teams often possess several game-changers, and Bengaluru had plenty. Throughout the season, eight different RCB players received the Player of the Match award.
Virat Kohli (Virat Kohli Instagram) topped the list with three awards, while Josh Hazlewood collected two. Tim David, Jacob Duffy, Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rajat Patidar and Phil Salt each secured one award.
The distribution of honors highlights the team’s collective strength. Success was not dependent on a single individual, as different players delivered decisive performances whenever required. When one star struggled, another took charge and carried the team forward.
4. Dominance at Home Venues
RCB turned home conditions into a major advantage during the 2026 season. The franchise won six of its seven home fixtures, achieving an outstanding success rate of approximately 86 percent.
The previous season had seen a less convincing record at home, but Bengaluru significantly improved their performances this year. Using both the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Raipur as home venues, they consistently outperformed visiting sides.
Notably, the team avoided prolonged slumps and never suffered more than two consecutive defeats throughout the campaign. Victories over strong opponents such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans underlined their dominance. Delhi Capitals were the only side to defeat them at home.
Patidar’s leadership also played a crucial role. His tactical use of bowlers based on conditions and opposition weaknesses helped Bengaluru maintain momentum during the league phase and secure a favorable playoff position.
5. Kohli Continued His Remarkable Consistency
Virat Kohli’s contribution remained central to RCB’s success story. For the fourth season in succession, he crossed the 600-run milestone, demonstrating extraordinary consistency at the highest level.
Despite repeated changes in opening partners, Kohli maintained his standards. Phil Salt’s injury restricted him to six matches, while Jacob Bethell managed only 96 runs across seven appearances. Later in the season, Venkatesh Iyer partnered Kohli at the top during crucial league and playoff encounters.
Regardless of the changes around him, Kohli continued to deliver. His tally of 675 runs made him the franchise’s leading run-scorer. In pressure situations, he often anchored the innings, allowing more aggressive batters to play with freedom around him.
RCB’s successful title defense highlighted an important lesson in T20 cricket: championships are built through teamwork rather than individual brilliance alone.
A balanced squad, contributions from multiple match-winners, an effective bowling combination and astute captaincy combined to transform Bengaluru into deserving back-to-back IPL champions.
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