Royal Challengers Bengaluru capped their IPL 2026 title defence with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad, and the triumph came with the tournament’s biggest payday. RCB’s successful campaign earned them ₹20 crore in prize money, while Gujarat Titans collected ₹12.5 crore for finishing as runners-up.
RCB’s title defence capped off in style
- RCB started their chase by putting the finishing touches on a controlled run-up to the target, ultimately reaching it with 12 balls still left.
- Gujarat Titans were limited to 155/8, giving RCB a defendable number that still demanded a composed finish under pressure.
- Virat Kohli once again stepped forward in the biggest moments, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 deliveries.
- Kohli’s knock included nine boundaries and three maximums, and it provided the momentum RCB needed to complete the chase.
- The chase was supported by Venkatesh Iyer’s early impetus and Tim David’s timely contribution of 24 from 17 balls.
- Victory was sealed when Kohli struck the winning hit with a six, sparking immediate celebrations across RCB’s camp and among supporters.
RCB’s path to the finish was built on a mix of structure and aggression, with Kohli’s unbeaten innings acting as the centrepiece of another title-clinching chase. His ability to anchor while still accelerating at the right times ensured Gujarat Titans never fully got a grip on the game after the target came into view.
Bowlers set the stage before the chase
- In the first phase of the final, RCB’s bowlers struck early to unsettle Gujarat Titans.
- Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan within the powerplay, denting GT’s platform at the start.
- Rasikh Salam Dar then delivered a standout spell, finishing with 3/27 to further restrict Gujarat Titans’ scoring.
- Washington Sundar battled on despite the pressure, carrying his bat for an unbeaten fifty as the innings progressed.
- Even with Sundar’s resistance, the overall total remained 155/8, on a wicket that offered limited rhythm for stroke-play.
While the final result brought heartbreak for Gujarat Titans, their innings showed flashes of fight—especially through Sundar’s unbeaten half-century—but RCB’s early breakthroughs ultimately dictated the tempo of the match.
Gujarat Titans’ season ends with a big return
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Gujarat Titans can still take confidence from a strong overall run that ended with a runners-up finish. Their prize money payout for the season was ₹13 crore, a reward that reflects how far they went after a patchy start to the campaign.
After working their way past an uneven opening phase, Shubman Gill’s side reached their second IPL final, only to be outclassed by the defending champions on the night. The final once again underlined RCB’s ability to perform at the highest level, both in planning and execution, as they secured the trophy and the top prize.
IPL 2026 Final prize money
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Champions): ₹20 crore
- Gujarat Titans (Runners-up): ₹12.5 crore
