Last Updated on June 1, 2026 12:57 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Ahmedabad, May 31
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their Indian Premier League crown, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium and becoming only the third franchise in tournament history to win back-to-back titles.
Chasing a modest target of 156, RCB rode on a brilliant unbeaten 75 off 42 balls by Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings with nine fours and three sixes. Bengaluru reached 161/5 in 18 overs, sealing the title in commanding fashion.
Earlier, Gujarat Titans struggled against a disciplined RCB bowling attack and were restricted to 155/8 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar provided resistance with an unbeaten half-century, but regular wickets prevented Gujarat from building momentum. RCB bowlers Rasikh Salam Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood played key roles in restricting the opposition.
The victory marked another milestone for RCB after ending their long wait for a maiden IPL title in 2025. Kohli’s match-winning knock and Bengaluru’s all-round performance ensured the team retained the trophy in front of a packed crowd in Ahmedabad. (NDTV Sports)
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finished the season as the Orange Cap winner with 776 runs, while Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada claimed the Purple Cap with 29 wickets.