Ahmedabad: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced another composed performance under pressure to defeat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, successfully chasing a target of 156 and retaining their dominance in the tournament.
The much anticipated summit clash featured two of the best teams of the season, with Rajat Patidar led RCB taking on Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans in front of a packed crowd. Gujarat Titans posted 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs after being put under pressure by a disciplined RCB bowling attack.
Washington Sundar emerged as one of the key contributors for Gujarat with a fighting half century, helping the side recover after losing wickets at regular intervals. Rahul Tewatia also chipped in during the death overs, while Rashid Khan provided a late flourish with a quick cameo. However, RCB bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam Dar, ensured that Gujarat could not accelerate significantly in the closing stages.
Chasing 156, Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a flying start. Venkatesh Iyer played an attacking knock of 32 off just 16 balls, striking boundaries and sixes to put the pressure back on the Gujarat bowlers. Virat Kohli then took control of the chase with an aggressive approach, finding boundaries regularly and maintaining the required rate comfortably.
Although Gujarat fought back through Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan, who removed key batters including Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, RCB never allowed the match to drift away. Kohli’s experience and the middle order’s calm approach ensured that the defending champions remained firmly in control throughout the chase.
The final was billed as a battle between Rajat Patidar and Shubman Gill, two captains who guided their teams brilliantly through the season. Gujarat had entered the final after a dominant victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, while RCB had already defeated GT convincingly in Qualifier 1.
With this victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru added another IPL title to their growing legacy and reaffirmed their status as one of the most consistent sides in recent seasons. For Gujarat Titans, the campaign ended in disappointment, but their run to the final highlighted the depth and quality within the squad.
The IPL 2026 final once again delivered high quality cricket, intense competition and memorable performances, providing a fitting conclusion to another thrilling season.