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Kohli’s masterclass seals back-to-back titles for RCB

cricket31 May 2026 18:18| © AFP
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Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls to carry Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second straight Tata IPL title, chasing down Gujarat Titans' 155 with 12 balls to spare at the Narendra Modi International Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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The Indian batter's assault - studded with nine fours and three sixes - turned a competitive chase into a procession.

Venkatesh Iyer had set the tone early, launching Kagiso Rabada for 18 runs in the second over before falling for 32 off 16 balls.

Kohli took 13 off Mohammad Siraj's third over, then went after Rabada in the fourth with a no-look six that sailed over deep midwicket at 155kph.

By the time Rashid Khan came into the attack with RCB needing just 65 off 66 balls, the chase was effectively done.

GT had restricted RCB's top order early.

Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal (1) after Siraj had dismissed Iyer - while Rashid claimed Rajat Patidar Patidar and Krunal Pandya in the space of four balls during his first over.

But Kohli's 75-run stand with Tim David (24 off 17) proved decisive. The Indian star reached his50 off just 23 balls - his fastest in his IPL career - before Arshad Khan removed David in the 14th over.

Jitesh Sharma finished the job with Kohli, the pair ending with an unbeaten stand of 29 for the sixth wicket.

"Stuff you dream of. Thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run," said the 37-year-old Kohli, who was named player of the match.

"Felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through. Knew exactly what to do in the chase. Such is the demand (with) super young players pushing you to up the ante."

Kohli added: "We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. And we just said one thing, 'If we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the competition.'"

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Washington Sundar's 51 off 36 balls had anchored GT's innings after the early loss of Shubman Gill (10) and Sai Sudharsan (12).

Arshad Khan's explosive 15 off 6 - including two sixes - gave GT momentum in the middle overs, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-29) and Rasikh Salam's (3-27) disciplined bowling kept the total manageable.

Krunal Pandya (1-23) claimed the scalp of Jos Buttler (19) with a clever yorker, while Josh Hazlewood took two wickets.

GT managed just 155 - a target that looked short the moment RCB's opening partnership started clicking.

Kohli's aggression, Iyer's early fireworks, and clinical bowling sealed the deal for the defending champions.

Patidar joined an elite group of IPL captains to win back-to-back titles. MS Dhoni achieved the feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, while Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to glory in 2019 and 2020.

"This year was more calm with the way we played throughout the tournament," Patidar told reporters, as he celebrated his 33rd birthday in style.

"My way of captaincy is different. I am not expressive but aware of the game situations."

© QUOTES AND ADDITIONAL REPORTING COURTESY BY AFP

GUJARAT TITANS: Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam.

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