Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated their second consecutive IPL title with a burst of dhol music and dancing. A video released by the franchise showed all-rounder Krunal Pandya dancing with the trophy, and Virat Kohli soon joined in.
The win made RCB only the third team, after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to win the IPL in back-to-back years.
How the final unfolded
Gujarat Titans batted first and managed 155 for 8. Rasikh Salam Dar was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 27. RCB removed both openers in the powerplay: Shubman Gill was caught at mid-off off Josh Hazlewood for 10, and Sai Sudharsan edged a Bhuvneshwar Kumar bouncer to the wicketkeeper.
In reply, Kohli stayed unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, and ended the game with a straight six over long-on. His fifty came off 25 balls, his fastest in the IPL, and he was named Player of the Match.
Kohli’s season
Kohli finished as RCB’s top scorer with 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.85. He batted aggressively from the start of the campaign, and his powerplay strike rate of 174.8 was the highest of his IPL career, a clear change in approach in 2026.
