Royal Challengers Bengaluru have cemented themselves among the Indian Premier League’s most successful modern-era franchises. The RCB IPL 2026 champions beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, successfully defending the title they won for the first time in 2025 and becoming only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back championships.
RCB joins an exclusive club that previously included only MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings, who defended their title in 2010 and 2011, and Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians, who did the same in 2019 and 2020.
How the Final Unfolded
Sent in to bat first after RCB won the toss and elected to field, Gujarat Titans got off to a shaky start. Opener Sai Sudharsan was initially given out caught behind in the very first over, only for the decision to be overturned on DRS review — a brief reprieve before Gujarat lost both openers inside the powerplay regardless. Despite the early setbacks, Gujarat recovered to post a total of 155 for 8 from their 20 overs, with RCB’s bowling attack — led by Rasikh Salam and Bhuvneshwar Kumar — keeping the innings in check throughout.
Chasing 156, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer got the defending champions off to an explosive start, taking 37 runs off Kagiso Rabada’s first two overs alone. Mohammed Siraj eventually broke the opening stand in the fifth over, dismissing Iyer for a 16-ball 32, before Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal shortly after, leaving RCB at 70 for 2 through the powerplay.
Gujarat briefly threatened a comeback when Rashid Khan struck twice in the ninth over, reducing RCB to 91 for 4. But Kohli, batting with composure built over nearly two decades in the tournament, anchored the chase from there. He brought up his fifty off just 25 balls — his fastest-ever half-century in IPL history — and combined with Tim David to steer RCB home with two overs to spare, finishing unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls and earning the Player of the Match award.
A Historic Double for the Franchise
Beyond becoming just the third franchise to defend an IPL title, RCB also became the first team in IPL history to win both the IPL and the Women’s Premier League in the same calendar year, having previously claimed the 2026 WPL title as well. The achievement underscores a broader organizational turnaround for a franchise that had gone nearly two decades without a title before finally breaking through in 2025.
RCB topped the points table during the group stage before backing that up with the championship, with captain Rajat Patidar reflecting afterward on the mental challenge of defending a title. “It feels superb,” Patidar said after the win. “There were a lot of memories from last year, but we had to stay in the present… Last year, there was a lot of pressure. This year, we were confident.”
Kohli’s Continued Excellence
For Virat Kohli, the final capped another standout IPL campaign, adding to a legacy that already includes multiple Orange Cap-worthy seasons and now two IPL titles in as many years with RCB. His fastest-ever IPL fifty, delivered on the sport’s biggest domestic stage, only reinforced his standing as one of the format’s most consistent performers even well into his mid-30s.
What This Means for RCB Going Forward
Back-to-back titles establish RCB as the team to beat heading into future IPL seasons, with the core group — including Kohli, Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Venkatesh Iyer — now carrying the pedigree of proven champions. The challenge for the franchise going forward will be sustaining this level of success as the league moves toward its next auction cycle, where retention decisions will play a significant role in whether RCB can pursue an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 season now in the record books, attention across the IPL shifts toward the franchise’s roster planning for the next cycle, as RCB looks to build on a period of sustained success that has transformed the club from perennial nearly-men into the league’s most dominant modern-day force.
FAQ Section
Q: Did RCB win back-to-back IPL titles?
A: Yes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL in both 2025 and 2026, becoming only the third franchise in league history to defend the title.
Q: What was the final score in the 2026 IPL final?
A: Gujarat Titans scored 155 for 8, and RCB chased the target down with five wickets and two overs to spare, finishing on 161 for 5.
Q: Who was Player of the Match in the 2026 IPL final?
A: Virat Kohli won Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, including his fastest-ever IPL fifty.
Q: Which other teams have defended the IPL title?
A: Chennai Super Kings (2010-2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019-2020) are the only other franchises to win back-to-back IPL titles.
Q: Did RCB achieve any other notable milestone in 2026?
A: Yes, RCB became the first franchise to win both the IPL and the Women’s Premier League in the same calendar year.
