RCB vs GT, IPL 2026 Final: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli spearheaded a modest run-chase of 156 as Rajat Patidar and co. stormed to their second consecutive IPL title on May 31, Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Along with Venkatesh Iyer, Kohli got the Royal Challengers off to a brilliant start as they leathered 70 in the powerplay. Kohli was particularly lethal against Kagiso Rabada, clobbering him for a couple of sixes and at least three boundaries.
RCB vs GT, IPL 2026 Final: Gujarat Titans pegged back in the powerplay
Having chosen to chase by Rajat Patidar, Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan started decently to ensure a promising opening partnership for the Titans. However, Josh Hazlewood struck to remove Gill for 10, followed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting the better of B Sai Sudharsan for 12, pegging the Titans back. Nishant Sindhu tried his best before Rasikh Dar dismissed him for 20. Washington Sundar joined Jos Buttler next but both largely struggled to get any momentum. Krunal Pandya outfoxed Buttler, having him stumped as the former England white-ball skipper limped to 19 off 23 deliveries.
The remaining innings was left to rescued by Washington Sundar after Arshad Khan smacked a couple of the ground. Sundar completed his half-century off 37 deliveries and stayed unbeaten on 50 as the Titans finished with 155/8 in their 20 overs.
RCB vs GT, IPL 2026 Final: Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer put Gujarat Titans’ esteemed bowling attack to the sword
Despite suffering from cramps early on in the innings, Venkatesh Iyer hit the ball cleanly and got the reigning champions off to an electrifying start. Rabada stood no chance of getting a wicket as Kohli neutralised him with some enterprising stroke making. The Titans hit back by sending Iyer (32) and Devdutt Padikkal (1) packing. Rashid Khan, who came into the attack in the 9th over of the innings, roared by dismissing Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya cheaply, giving the Titans a sniff.
But Kohli and Tim David refused to give any chance of coming back into the game to the Titans despite the former struggling with cramps. Having stayed unbeaten on 75, the Royal Challengers needed only 18 overs to chase the total down, with Kohli finishing the proceedings off with a six. In the process, Rajat Patidar has joined MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the only captain to have successfully defended the IPL title.
