Virat Kohli reminded everyone why he is counted among cricket’s most reliable match-winners as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL final in Ahmedabad. In the chase of 156, Kohli stayed unbeaten on 75, steering RCB over the line and capping a standout campaign with 675 runs. His impact was recognised not just in the numbers, but also in the emotion surrounding the moment, with head coach Andy Flower delivering a tribute in a video message. Flower said, “Virat, I know you get a lot of attention and quite rightly. But I don’t want to downplay that, because you are a heartbeat in this dressing room.”
RCB’s pursuit was shaped early by a productive start, with Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer building a 62-run opening stand that gave the innings momentum. From there, Kohli took control of the tempo and began to put the Gujarat bowling unit under pressure. He targeted Kagiso Rabada in the early phase of the chase, striking two fours and a six to force the Titans to rethink their plans. The way Kohli handled the big-match stage drew fresh praise from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted the batter’s comfort in pressure moments. Gavaskar remarked, “He relishes these situations, he looks forward to these situations where he can show how good a player he is. What kind of a temperament he has, the winning mindset that he has.”
The final result added to the momentum RCB carried through the season, extending the rhythm that helped them claim their maiden IPL title the year before. This time, the franchise finished at the top of the league table and then advanced to the title match with ease. Kohli’s massive fan following was clear even in the stands, with many supporters donning his iconic No. 18 jersey, turning the venue into a celebration of both the player and the chase he was steering.
After being awarded Player of the Match, Kohli reflected on the nature of RCB’s support base, stressing that the team effectively travels with its audience. He said, “I always say we don’t have seven home games, we probably have 14.” Kohli added, “I mean, GT are probably the home side, but you see 90 percent of the guys are RCB fans. Their support is priceless.”
While RCB achieved the ultimate success on the field, the franchise opted against hosting a public celebration at home. The decision was influenced by the painful memory from last season, when a crowd crush outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the title parade resulted in 11 deaths. Remembering the fans who lost their lives, captain Rajat Patidar spoke with a heavy heart after the triumph, saying, “Obviously, you feel bad — you lost your fans after winning the game. Not just fans, they are the family members. I always want to dedicate this trophy to them. I don’t have words to express that feeling.”
