Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have gone back-to-back in the IPL, and batting maestro Virat Kohli looked back on what it took to make it happen. After last season’s triumph, the squad essentially asked itself whether it could repeat the same level of performance, and Kohli’s answer came in the biggest moment—an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls—guiding Bengaluru to IPL 2026 glory against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Kohli’s “Can we repeat?” mindset
In a post on Instagram, Kohli shared that the team’s starting point was a simple challenge from the previous year: could they win again in consecutive seasons. He wrote that they had asked themselves whether they could go back-to-back, and now they were facing that question’s outcome once more—this time with the trophy in hand.
Final: RCB’s chase of 156 in Ahmedabad
Batting first, GT managed 155/8 in their 20 overs, a total that never looked fully comfortable once RCB settled into the chase. Washington Sundar was the standout for Gujarat with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, striking through with five fours, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 off 18 deliveries, including three boundaries.
- GT finished on 155/8 in 20 overs
- Washington Sundar: 50* (37 balls), five fours
- Nishant Sindhu: 20 (18 balls), three fours
Even though GT found resistance through the middle overs, RCB’s bowlers kept pressing at key moments. Rasikh Dar Salam recorded 3/27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2/29, and Josh Hazlewood claimed 2/37 as the Titans lost wickets at regular intervals.
- Rasikh Dar Salam: 3/27
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/29
- Josh Hazlewood: 2/37
RCB’s title-winning innings and key partnerships
RCB’s chase began with momentum, building a 62-run platform through a partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Iyer made 32 off 16 balls, using four boundaries and two sixes, before the innings moved into its defining phase as Kohli took control.
- Venkatesh Iyer: 32 (16 balls), four fours and two sixes
- RCB early stand: 62 runs
GT responded by tightening the contest, pulling RCB back to 132/5 at one stage. However, Kohli held his nerve and accelerated when needed, finishing with 75* from 42 balls, supported by nine fours and three maximums. RCB completed the job with two overs remaining, sealing victory and the consecutive championship.
- RCB were reduced to 132/5 at one point
- Virat Kohli: 75* (42 balls), nine fours, three sixes
- RCB won with two overs to spare
Milestones, honours and praise from Harry Kane
By lifting the IPL 2026 crown in consecutive seasons, RCB joined the exclusive group of franchises that have won back-to-back titles—alongside Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Kohli’s tournament also stood out statistically: he finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 675 runs in 16 innings, averaging 56.25 and striking at 165.84. His haul included one century and five fifties, with his best score being 105*.
- Tournament runs: 675 in 16 innings
- Average: 56.25
- Strike rate: 165.84
- 100s/50s: one century and five fifties
- Best score: 105*
After the final, star footballer Harry Kane praised Kohli in an Instagram story, hailing the match-winning knock and congratulating RCB for making it back-to-back IPL titles. Kane wrote: “What a player and what a knock @virat.Kohli. Congrats @royalchallengers.bengaluru on making it back-to-back IPL titles,” celebrating the same moment Kohli had helped deliver on the field.
