Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Kumar Mangalam Birla celebrated the franchise’s second successive IPL championship after the team beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It was a rare kind of achievement for RCB—only the third side in IPL history to successfully defend the title, joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Chasing a target, RCB—led by Rajat Patidar—kept their composure after GT posted 155/8. The Bengaluru outfit reached the winning mark with five wickets in hand and still had two overs remaining.
Quick facts
- Match: IPL 2026 final, RCB vs Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Venue and date: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad; Sunday
- Result: RCB won by five wickets with two overs to spare
- GT total: 155/8 in 20 overs
- Winning chase: RCB reached the target with five wickets down
- RCB title note: second consecutive IPL crown; third team to defend the trophy after CSK and MI
Birla, speaking to reporters after the win, praised the group’s togetherness and execution. “It’s a great team—they worked seamlessly together, very rare to see such a bonded team. I think there would be a hat-trick next year,” he said.
GT’s camp, meanwhile, framed the defeat as a battle fought to the end. Colonel Arvinder Singh, Gujarat Titans’ Chief Operating Officer (COO), said on Monday, “It was a pretty interesting match. What is more important is that despite scoring fewer runs, our team put its heart out there and gave its best on the field. We are very proud of them.”
How the final unfolded
RCB won the toss and asked GT to bat first. Gujarat managed 155/8 from their 20 overs, with Washington Sundar the standout at the top, striking 50 not out off 37 balls and hitting five fours. Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 off 18 deliveries, including three boundaries, and was the only other batter to reach the 20-run mark.
For RCB, the wicket-taking was spread across the innings. Rasikh Dar Salam finished with figures of 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2/29 and Josh Hazlewood claimed 2/37, ensuring GT didn’t get away from their total.
In reply, RCB began positively with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Iyer made 32 off 16 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes, while Kohli provided the steadying presence at the other end.
GT fought back to keep the chase tense, briefly pulling things to 132/5. Even so, Kohli took control when it mattered most, finishing unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls with nine fours and three maximums, guiding RCB home with two overs left.
The victory marked RCB’s second IPL title and their fourth overall major franchise trophy across Indian men’s and women’s competition, including two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles.
