Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted the IPL 2026 crown for the second time, and in doing so became only the third franchise to win the title in consecutive seasons. In the final, RCB overcame Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets, with Virat Kohli steering the chase using an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls. The champions will bank Rs 20 crore in prize money, while runners-up GT receive Rs 12.5 crore. Rajasthan Royals (RR), despite falling short in Qualifier 2, earned Rs 7 crore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who were beaten in the Eliminator, collected Rs 6.5 crore.
RCB’s title defence in the final
- RCB began their successful defence at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, setting out to chase a target after GT posted 155/8.
- For Gujarat Titans, Washington Sundar played a determined knock of 37 balls, remaining unbeaten on 50 to keep GT competitive.
- RCB’s seamers also made key breakthroughs, with Rasikh Salam Dar producing figures of 3-27 and early strikes from Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar helping contain the innings on a mixed soil surface.
- In response, Virat Kohli struck as he built the chase—registering his quickest IPL half-century, reaching the mark off 25 deliveries.
- Kohli then carried RCB through the finishing stage, remaining not out on 75 off 42 balls as RCB reached 156 with two overs still remaining.
- His innings featured nine fours and three sixes, and it was also the highest score he has made in IPL playoffs.
Beyond the result, the knock added to a notable pattern: RCB have not lost a match since 2025 whenever Kohli has scored a fifty. With this title, they also joined the ranks of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only sides to successfully defend an IPL championship, while extending the stretch of Qualifier 1 winners going on to triumph in nine seasons.
The final also carried individual milestones. RCB’s win ensured that Josh Hazlewood stayed unbeaten in white-ball finals, and Krunal Pandya recorded a win in every IPL final he has played. For GT, who had been champions in 2022 at the same venue, the defeat came after a demanding schedule—playing their third match at a third venue within six days. They reached Ahmedabad only on Saturday night after inclement weather disrupted travel.
