Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the IPL 2026 crown with a five-wicket triumph over Gujarat Titans in the final, and in the process joined an elite group of franchises that have managed to defend their title. The win made RCB only the third team to retain the championship, following the franchises of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, and it also sparked a wave of celebrations that carried into the post-match reactions from key members of the squad.
Virat Kohli: “Didn’t feel like the same pressure as last year”
Virat Kohli said the group entered the final with a mindset that felt distinctly different from the previous season’s title run. He explained that the dressing room had never lost sight of the side’s own strengths, pointing out that they had topped the league phase and understood why they were in that position. For Kohli, the key was maintaining their brand of cricket—sticking to plans, executing what they had prepared, and trusting the balance and maturity within the group to deliver under pressure. He described the final as a “clinical performance,” crediting both composure and skill sets that showed up at the right time.
Kohli also reflected on the journey leading into the match, noting that after the break the season had included a loss and a tightly fought win over MI. He said the week before the business end felt somewhat challenging because the team’s goal was to finish at the top, but the victory against Mumbai Indians restored belief. From there, he described a smoother momentum swing, mentioning a comprehensive win over KKR and then the natural progression into the final as they continued to lead the table.
The former captain added that the longer wait only heightened the satisfaction of the title moment. He spoke about the confidence that comes from having a group where stepping onto the field does not require one individual to carry the entire load. In his view, there was always someone ready behind the batter or around the captain who could turn the game—citing the spread of match-winning contributions across the campaign and the number of Man-of-the-Match awards that had come from different players.
Kohli then praised the strength of the bowling unit and the depth of the batting group. He referenced world-class options such as Hoff, Bhuv and Duff, and also highlighted Krunal Pandya as a reliable presence. He singled out Rasik Dar for a standout season as well, while stressing that the batters also contributed consistently. For Kohli, the joy was not just about winning the final, but about belonging to a side built with balance and all-round strength—one that gave the players the confidence to perform across the field during the biggest moments.
On the meaning of another IPL trophy, Kohli underlined how special every championship feels, describing it as impossible to rank like choosing among children. He said that in 11 years he has now collected five trophies and that the achievement has been especially meaningful for him personally. He also broadened the credit beyond the playing group, pointing to the support structure and naming Mo Babat, Andy Flower, Dinesh Karthik, and Malolan Rangarajan for the way preparations were handled for the previous year’s auction and how the squad was shaped to create the right balance. Kohli suggested that while part of the job is done during auction planning, the real test comes when the team has to deliver on the pitch, and he expressed relief and pride that RCB have been able to hold onto the trophy back-to-back.
He then addressed the longer timeline of waiting—mentioning an 18-year gap before this latest stretch of success—and said winning consecutive titles carried a message for RCB fans wherever the franchise had travelled. Kohli also made it personal for Virat, noting how striking it felt to celebrate two trophies immediately after the 18th and 19th seasons. In his assessment, the final result felt “amazing,” not only because of the outcome, but because of what it represented for supporters and the franchise’s identity.
Jitesh Sharma: “We are not defending. We are attacking this trophy”
Jitesh Sharma began his post-match comments by describing the emotion of winning again, saying it was his second title triumph and that he felt especially good speaking in Marathi. He stressed a central theme from the team’s approach: RCB were not treating the trophy like something to protect. Instead, he said the mindset was to attack the championship, to chase it, and to dominate more rather than play defensively. In his words, the mental shift helped the players operate with intent, because the team’s identity was built on taking control rather than simply trying to hold on.
Sharma also praised the atmosphere around the squad and placed significant credit on the management for fostering the environment in which players could perform. He pointed to the care shown by Dinesh Karthik, referring to him as “anna,” and to Mo—saying that even when he was not at his best, he felt looked after and supported. He argued that such backing gives players a sense of who matters in the dressing room, adding that you do not have to be a superstar to contribute when you are a good person; the team values character and turns it into on-field worth.
Finally, Sharma spoke about how the team handled the campaign’s pressure by focusing on one match at a time. He said they were aware they had a strong side, but instead of getting carried away by their reputation, they concentrated on tactics and execution for each individual game. He stressed that their approach stayed consistent—staying focused on their own plan rather than measuring themselves against how other teams were performing—and that discipline helped them keep the momentum heading into the final.
