Hamstring trouble and visible fatigue did little to stop Virat Kohli from steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a hard-fought finish in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans. Kohli limped through parts of the run chase, yet remained at the crease long enough to help RCB reach the target in Ahmedabad after GT posted 156 in the evening match on Sunday.
Gujarat Titans set 156 in Ahmedabad
Gujarat Titans struggled with the bat in the first innings, folding to 155/8 in 20 overs. While the innings lacked momentum for most of the top and middle order, Washington Sundar offered the most resistance with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls.
- Openers Shubamn Gill managed 10 before departing early.
- Sai Sudharsan scored 12 and also fell at a key stage.
- Nishant Sindhu made 20.
- Jos Buttler contributed 19, but could not convert his start into a bigger score.
- Arshad Khan made 15, Rahul Tewatia 7, and Jason Holder 7.
- RCB’s bowling featured Rasikh Salam with three wickets.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each.
- Washington Sundar finished unbeaten on 50 off 37 deliveries as the lone consistent performer for GT.
RCB chase: early breakthroughs shake the order
RCB began the chase strongly, but the momentum slipped after Venkatesh Iyer was dismissed for 32 in the fifth over. The batting order then started to wobble as several departures came in quick succession, including Devdutt Padikkal for 1, Rajat Patidar for 15, and Krunal Pandya for 1.
With the chase under pressure, Tim David built a partnership with Kohli and Kohli continued to push the innings forward despite discomfort, ultimately recording his fastest IPL half-century. He reached the milestone off 25 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes along the way.
Kohli’s fitness scare and the finishing push
Signs of Kohli struggling while running showed up during the 11th over. He summoned the physio after completing a double and was seen feeling some discomfort in his right hamstring/thigh. After hydrating, he appeared to settle enough to continue.
In the 13th over, Kohli again hobbled to the non-striker’s end after taking a single, having guided a Rashid Khan delivery to square leg.
Commentary also reflected the concern. Harsha Bhogle, speaking during the broadcast, said: “He’s struggling. Virat Kohli is struggling, and I don’t remember the last time I said that.”
David falls, but Kohli stays unbeaten
Tim David’s stay at the crease ended in the final delivery of the 14th over. Facing a short ball from Arshad Khan, David edged it to Jos Buttler for a catch. The on-field umpire initially did not respond, prompting a GT review. UltraEdge showed a clear spike, and the decision was changed. David departed for 24 off 17 balls, with RCB still in the contest at 132/5.
From there, Kohli held firm, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls. His innings, powered by nine fours and three sixes, carried RCB to 161/5 in 18 overs, sealing victory by five wickets.
Result: RCB defend the title and add a second trophy
The win ensured RCB defended their IPL championship and lifted their second trophy. Despite a batting collapse from GT in the first innings and multiple early setbacks for RCB, Kohli’s relentless finishing—played through a fitness scare—proved decisive in the final.
