Royal Challengers Bengaluru had to wait 18 years for their maiden IPL crown. Yet the wait didn\u2019t end there\u2014twelve months later, they lifted the trophy again, becoming only the third franchise to successfully defend the IPL title. On Sunday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB underlined why they were viewed as the tournament\u2019s most complete side, delivering a clinical five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans.<\/p>\n
The story of this run is inseparable from the one figure who endured it all\u2014Virat Kohli. The franchise had backed him when he was drafted in 2008, despite multiple seasons of criticism during trophyless stretches, a difficult captaincy phase, and at times, offers from other teams that would have tempted many players.<\/p>\n
Kohli\u2019s emotional breakthrough came when RCB finally became champions for the first time in 2025, when he broke down in tears. A year later, he found a way to deepen that legacy\u2014leading from the front as Bengaluru secured back-to-back titles. This time, the finish came with a winning six over long-on, in a finishing moment that reminded many of MS Dhoni\u2019s trademark authority.<\/p>\n
In the final, Kohli anchored the run chase with a composed, trademark display. He remained unbeaten on 75, guiding his side home comfortably in just 18 overs. Gujarat did briefly threaten during Rashid Khan\u2019s spell, when the leg-spinner struck twice in quick succession, but Kohli\u2019s control ensured the Titans never gained full momentum.<\/p>\n
Even before Kohli could take over, RCB\u2019s intent was clear. Their openers raced to 62 runs in only 4.3 overs, forcing Gujarat to chase from an uncomfortable position almost immediately. Momentum, however, did not stay perfectly smooth.<\/p>\n
Venkatesh Iyer had set the tone early with aggressive hitting in the second over, which brought 18 runs from that burst. Then, once RCB\u2019s powerplay momentum had been established, the innings saw a quick turn: Venkatesh was dismissed, Devdutt Padikkal fell soon after, and the pressure increased further when the captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya also departed quickly. At that stage, Bengaluru slipped to 91 for four.<\/p>\n
Through the wobble, Kohli held his nerve. The 37-year-old brought up his fifth half-century of the season with a pulled four off pacer Arshad Khan. From there, Tim David stepped in to provide a timely acceleration, easing the pressure on Kohli.<\/p>\n
Kohli also had to survive a tense moment when an umpire review suggested Shubman Gill\u2019s catch off Arshad had bounced before it was taken. Despite the scare, the decision went RCB\u2019s way, and Kohli continued on his path to the finish.<\/p>\n
While Kohli\u2019s match-winning effort sparked celebrations at home, the admiration spread well beyond India. International outlets quickly framed the performance as another defining Kohli chapter.<\/p>\n
That global attention mirrored what fans saw at the ground: Kohli\u2019s iconic number 18 jersey dominated the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world\u2019s biggest cricket venue, where official attendance on Sunday exceeded 90,000. With Kohli seemingly driven by one clear purpose\u2014to get RCB over the line\u2014the chase unfolded in a way that felt both familiar and historic, as Bengaluru etched their name even deeper into IPL folklore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had to wait 18 years for their maiden IPL crown. Yet the wait didn\u2019t end there\u2014twelve months later, they lifted the trophy…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13650,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"RCB IPL Title Defence: Kohli Back in Focus in 2024","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"RCB\u2019s back-to-back IPL glory returns Kohli to the headlines as Bengaluru defend the title again with a clinical win over Gujarat Titans.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n