Virat Kohli’s brilliant 75 not out guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL final on 31 May 2026, claiming consecutive championship wins for the Bengaluru franchise. In pursuit of Gujarat’s modest total of 155-8, RCB completed the job with 12 balls remaining in Ahmedabad, with Kohli striking the winning six in commanding fashion. The 37-year-old Indian great knock from 42 balls, containing nine fours and three sixes, was decisive in what turned out to be a largely one-sided contest. RCB’s seam attack had earlier set the platform for victory, restricting the Titans with a disciplined bowling display. The victory marks RCB’s second IPL crown, after claiming their first title just 12 months prior after an 18-year drought.
A Medical Chase in Ahmedabad
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s chase of Gujarat Titans’ 155-8 was defined by precision and composure in equal measure. Opening batsman Venkatesh Iyer delivered the early momentum with a explosive 32 from just 16 balls, combining with Kohli in a rapid 62-run partnership that established a strong foundation. However, Gujarat’s bowling unit, led by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, fought back effectively through the middle overs, taking crucial wickets to limit RCB’s momentum and keep the match alive.
Kohli’s experience and temperament proved crucial as the chase unfolded. Following the dismissals of Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya, the seasoned player stabilised the innings with a crucial 41-run stand with Tim David, who scored 24 runs before leaving. This partnership proved the turning point, enabling Kohli to steer RCB to success with calculated aggression, finally securing victory with a trademark six that delighted the Ahmedabad spectators and confirmed the side’s supremacy.
- Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive 32 from 16 balls provided quick opening
- Rashid Khan took two wickets in one over to change the game
- Kohli and David’s 41-run partnership steadied the chase
- Kohli finished unbeaten with 9 fours and 3 sixes
Kohli’s Unstoppable Mastery Steals the Show
Virat Kohli’s outstanding 75 not out was the key moment in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s triumphant chase at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 37-year-old India legend showed why he remains one of the world’s premier batsmen, playing a controlled but attacking innings that displayed his exceptional ability to assess game conditions. His 42-ball knock, adorned with nine fours and three sixes, exemplified precise batting under pressure. Kohli’s final flourish—a towering six that clinched the victory—represented a perfect punctuation mark to his performance, with the veteran batsman pointing triumphantly towards the stands as his teammates rushed onto the field to celebrate the franchise’s back-to-back title triumph.
The extent of Kohli’s impact deserves full recognition. After stepping away from T20 international cricket following the 2024 World Cup, the former India captain continues to produce displays of the highest standard on the IPL stage. His ability to maintain composure whilst building an innings during the most challenging moments showcases the experience and maturity he contributes to RCB’s batting order. Kohli’s fifth half-century of the season reinforced his consistency throughout the tournament, whilst his not out dismissal demonstrated his capacity to finish matches emphatically. Post-match, he commented on the team’s superiority, stating RCB were the “best team in the comp” and commending his teammates’ clinical execution throughout the tournament.
Initial Partnership Establishes the Tone
Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive batting opening the innings provided RCB with the ideal platform from which to execute their victorious chase. The opening batsman’s rapid 32 runs from merely 16 deliveries set an assertive approach that straightaway placed pressure on Gujarat’s pace attack. Combined with Kohli’s calculated method, Iyer’s attacking mindset created a explosive opening stand valued at 62 runs that played a key role in creating initial impetus. The differing approaches of both batsmen—Iyer’s forceful stroke-making complemented by Kohli’s measured attacking play—guaranteed Gujarat’s bowlers encountered a sustained assault right from the beginning.
This fast opening demonstrated psychologically significant for RCB’s run-chase. By scoring runs at a quick rate without suffering dismissals, the opening batsmen successfully lowered the needed run-rate and diminished the strain on the middle batting. Iyer’s exit, after a dismissal courtesy of Mohammed Siraj, indicated the start of Gujarat’s fightback by means of the spin bowling of Rashid Khan. However, the platform established throughout the opening stand guaranteed RCB preserved adequate drive to overcome the subsequent obstacles and maintain their path to success.
Steadying the Ship Under Pressure
Following Iyer’s exit and the subsequent loss of Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya to Rashid Khan’s penetrating pace, RCB encountered a crucial turning point in their chase. Kohli’s alliance alongside Tim David proved pivotal in stabilising the innings during this precarious phase. David’s measured contribution of 24 runs provided valuable support whilst Kohli directed the partnership with typical astuteness. Their 41-run partnership effectively neutralised Gujarat’s momentum and shifted the psychological advantage back towards RCB, highlighting the significance of experienced batting partnerships during high-pressure moments in T20 cricket.
Kohli’s capacity to absorb pressure whilst sustaining attacking intent set him apart from his teammates during this critical passage of play. As wickets fell around him, the veteran batsman remained unperturbed, rotating the strike sensibly and dispatching wayward bowling with clinical precision. His stand with David demonstrated the maturity Kohli mentioned in his remarks after the match, showcasing RCB’s team discipline under duress. By the time David departed, Kohli had sufficiently consolidated RCB’s position to guide them home with measured attacking play, ultimately striking the winning boundary that clinched the franchise’s second consecutive IPL title.
Tight Pace Bowling Limits Titans
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s pace unit demonstrated outstanding control and accuracy to limit Gujarat Titans to a modest 155-8, establishing the platform for their successful chase. The fast bowlers delivered their strategies with clinical efficiency, maintaining disciplined line and length during the innings whilst exploiting any lapses in concentration from the opposing batters. Rasikh Salam Dar emerged as the outstanding contributor, claiming three dismissals for just 27 runs in a demonstration of controlled aggression that set the tone for RCB’s commanding display. His incisive bowling stints at key moments prevented Gujarat from building any significant impetus, placing them in a defensive mindset that ultimately proved costly.
The supporting players of veteran bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar offered essential backing to Dar’s impressive display, each claiming two wickets to keep up consistent pressure on the Titans’ batting order. Hazlewood’s proficiency in death-overs proved especially crucial, whilst Kumar’s change of pace kept the opposition on their toes throughout his spell. The collective bowling performance reflected RCB’s growth as a collective. with each bowler grasping their particular responsibility within the team’s broader approach. This structured method decisively limited Gujarat’s batting potential and confirmed the target proved achievable for the chase.
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Rasikh Salam Dar | 3-27 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 2-31 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2-28 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 1-19 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 1-22 |
Washington Sundar’s Sole Resistance
Amidst RCB’s relentless bowling assault, Washington Sundar delivered the sole display of steadfast batting for Gujarat Titans, making an unbeaten 50 that offered some credibility to the final total. Playing as a lower-order batsman, Sundar showed admirable composure and technique against a disciplined attack. His fighting contribution prevented the Titans from falling apart completely, though ultimately his personal performance proved inadequate to deliver a competitive target for RCB’s accomplished batting line-up.
A Legacy Secured at the Height
Virat Kohli’s outstanding performance in Ahmedabad exemplifies far more than a single match-winning innings; it encapsulates the development of a champion who continues to thrive when the stakes are highest. At 37 years old, the ex-India skipper has challenged conventional wisdom about athletic durability, demonstrating that his hunger for success remains undiminished. His undefeated 75-run knock, struck with characteristic elegance and authority, revealed a batsman performing at the summit of his powers, merging aggressive intent with the steady demeanour that has defined his illustrious career. The six that sealed victory was more than mere theatrics—it was a declaration of purpose from a player who declines to wane into the sunset.
Kohli’s choice to exit from T20 international cricket following the 2024 World Cup has only strengthened his focus on the IPL, where he remains a game-changing presence for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His fifth half-century of the season highlights his consistency and capacity to deliver when his team needs him most. The stadium’s ocean of jerseys bearing his name and iconic number 18 reflected his enduring status as the franchise’s spiritual leader. With back-to-back IPL titles now claimed, Kohli has etched his name further into the annals of T20 franchise cricket. demonstrating that experience, talent, and resolute commitment remain the supreme asset in modern sport.
- Quickest 50-run milestone of the season, reaching 50 in just 28 balls
- Built important 62-run opening stand with Venkatesh Iyer to set chase foundation
- Fourth IPL championship victory for RCB since franchise’s inaugural 2008 season