Ahmedabad witnessed another unforgettable chapter in the Indian Premier League on Sunday night as Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a remarkable campaign by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final. In a season where RCB consistently looked like the most balanced side in the competition, the final served as the perfect reflection of their dominance. And as has often been the case over the last two decades of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli stood at the center of the story.
The Narendra Modi Stadium was packed with thousands of fans hoping to witness a thrilling title clash between two of the season’s strongest teams. Instead, what unfolded was a calculated and professional performance from Bengaluru, who controlled the contest from the early stages and never allowed Gujarat Titans to build any sustained momentum.
For Gujarat, the evening began with promise but quickly turned into a struggle. The batting unit that had delivered consistently throughout the season found itself under pressure from a disciplined RCB bowling attack. The surface offered some assistance to the bowlers, and Bengaluru’s experienced pace unit wasted no time exploiting it.
The first major breakthrough came when Gujarat captain Shubman Gill attempted to force the pace. A mistimed shot off Josh Hazlewood resulted in a straightforward catch, silencing a large section of the home crowd. Gill’s dismissal was more significant than the runs it denied because he had been the backbone of Gujarat’s batting campaign throughout the tournament.
Sai Sudharsan, another key contributor to Gujarat’s successful season, also failed to settle. Bhuvneshwar Kumar used his experience brilliantly, forcing the left-hander into an error with a well-directed short delivery. Suddenly, Gujarat were two wickets down and searching for stability.
The Titans desperately needed someone to anchor the innings, and Washington Sundar stepped up to the challenge. The left-hander displayed patience and composure on a surface where timing the ball was not easy. While wickets continued to fall around him, Sundar remained focused on rebuilding the innings. His unbeaten half-century ensured Gujarat crossed the 150-run mark, but even as he raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd, there was a sense that the total might not be enough against a powerful RCB batting lineup.
One of the biggest positives for Bengaluru was the performance of young pacer Rasikh Salam Dhar. Throughout the season, he had quietly developed into a reliable option, and on the biggest stage of all, he delivered one of his finest spells. His ability to break partnerships and maintain pressure during the middle overs prevented Gujarat from accelerating when they needed it most.
When Gujarat finished on 155 for 8, the total felt below par for a final, particularly against a batting order featuring Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar and Tim David. However, finals have a unique ability to create pressure, and the early overs of the chase were expected to determine the outcome.
What followed was a statement of intent from Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer.
From the moment the chase began, both batters looked determined to remove any doubts about the target. Kagiso Rabada, Gujarat’s premier fast bowler, found himself under attack almost immediately. Boundaries flowed freely as Kohli combined timing with aggression, while Iyer matched him stroke for stroke at the other end.
The partnership transformed the mood of the contest. Gujarat had entered the field hoping to create early pressure, but instead they were forced onto the defensive. The opening stand raced past fifty, and with every boundary the belief inside the Bengaluru camp grew stronger.
Even when Gujarat managed to claw their way back through a cluster of wickets, the feeling never completely shifted. Venkatesh Iyer departed after a valuable contribution, while Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya also failed to convert their starts. For a brief period, Gujarat sensed an opportunity as Bengaluru slipped to 91 for four.
Yet finals are often decided by players who understand pressure better than anyone else, and Kohli once again demonstrated why he remains one of cricket’s greatest chasers.
Rather than panic, he slowed the game down when required and accelerated when opportunities presented themselves. His shot selection was precise, his running between the wickets remained sharp, and his control over the chase never appeared to waver. Every run seemed to carry purpose.
There was a moment of tension when Shubman Gill believed he had taken a crucial catch to dismiss Kohli. Gujarat players celebrated enthusiastically, sensing a possible turning point. However, television replays showed the ball had brushed the ground, allowing Kohli to continue. It proved to be a decisive moment in the match.
As the target drew closer, Tim David played an important supporting role with a quick cameo that removed any remaining pressure. The Australian’s aggressive approach ensured Gujarat could not focus solely on Kohli, and together they guided Bengaluru toward the finishing line.
Then came the moment that perfectly captured the evening.
With victory within touching distance, Kohli launched Arshad Khan over the boundary for a six that sealed the championship. The shot sparked wild celebrations among players, support staff and thousands of travelling fans. Inside the RCB dugout, emotions overflowed. Players embraced each other, coaches celebrated with relief, and captain Rajat Patidar allowed himself a rare smile as the reality of another title triumph sank in.
For Kohli, the unbeaten 75 was much more than another match-winning innings. It was a reminder of his enduring value to the franchise he has represented since the very beginning of his IPL journey. While younger stars continue to emerge across the league, Kohli remains the emotional and competitive heartbeat of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The victory also confirmed RCB’s evolution into one of the strongest teams of the modern IPL era. For years, the franchise was known for entertaining cricket and star players but often fell short at crucial moments. Over the last two seasons, however, Bengaluru have transformed into a side capable of handling pressure, adapting to conditions and winning the biggest matches.
Under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, RCB have now achieved something few franchises manage in the IPL—successfully defending a title. It is a feat that places this squad among the competition’s elite teams and signals the beginning of what could become a sustained period of dominance.
As fireworks illuminated the Ahmedabad skyline and celebrations continued late into the night, one image stood above all others: Virat Kohli standing unbeaten in the middle, having once again guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to glory. On a night where champions were crowned, the King reminded everyone why he still rules the biggest stages of the game.