Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s wait for sustained glory has finally ended in the most emphatic way. After years of near-misses and heartbreak, the franchise has now joined the rare group of IPL sides to lift the trophy in consecutive seasons. Following their IPL 2026 final triumph over Gujarat Titans on Sunday, the RCB dressing room was riding a wave of relief and joy—proof that the club’s famous fan energy can now be matched by title-winning returns.
Key takeaways
- RCB are now one of just three franchises to win back-to-back IPL titles, joining Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
- The club’s IPL 2026 campaign ended with a final victory over Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
- RCB received Rs 20 crore in prize money as champions following the IPL 2026 final.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished second in the Purple Cap race for IPL 2026.
- In the post-match interaction, Bhuvneshwar credited collective backing within the squad for the win in the final.
From long wait to back-to-back champions
The narrative around Royal Challengers Bengaluru has long been about promise without the payoff. For their first 17 IPL seasons, the team went without a title. However, that pattern shifted when the next two seasons brought trophies—setting the foundation for what has now become an even bigger moment for the franchise. Despite building one of the most passionate fan bases in the league, RCB had previously often returned empty-handed year after year, but the latest success has changed that storyline.
Now, the club has achieved something historically significant: they are the only team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to win two IPL titles in succession. The result has left the camp brimming with confidence, with the mood described as upbeat after the IPL 2026 final win over Gujarat Titans.
Prize money, a playful moment, and Bhuvneshwar’s reflections
As champions, RCB were awarded Rs 20 crore in prize money. In a light-hearted exchange, Bhuvneshwar was asked by Mr Nags how the funds would be divided among the group. His response was equally playful and candid, indicating that they would be keen to find out how the process works—adding a celebratory, human touch to the post-title celebrations.
There was also a mention of Mr Nags “suffering from success,” along with a reference to a post-match presentation party moment where the event apparently became a bit chaotic. The context was that Mr Nags was described as the toughest challenge of the season, even on the night of the final, when he managed to get involved in the festivities.
Later, Bhuvneshwar Kumar addressed his own season as well. He said that the year “went well” for him after finishing second in the Purple Cap race of IPL 2026. In his post-match interview, he underlined that while personal milestones matter, the trophy is the top priority for the squad, adding that he would willingly exchange individual outcomes for the title.
On the final itself, the veteran seamer also pointed to teamwork as a key ingredient. He explained that taking wickets naturally boosts confidence, and that entering a high-pressure match with past performances behind you can provide an extra edge. At the same time, he emphasized that the success was not down to one individual—if Hazlewood had not been at his best, Bhuvneshwar said he would step in, and if Bhuvneshwar had not done well, Rasikh would have the team covered. The message was clear: in a big game, everyone needs to have each other’s back, and that shared responsibility played a major role in RCB’s title-winning performance against the Titans.
