RCB retain IPL title as chase master Kohli, bowlers deliver

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 and inspired bowling led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second straight Indian Premier League title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Sunday.

Bengaluru restricted Gujarat to 155-8, a total they chased down with 12 balls to spare after Kohli reached his fifth half-century of the season in a lopsided final in Ahmedabad.

Kohli sealed victory with a six to cap a magnificent 42-ball innings featuring nine fours and three sixes, then pointed to the stands as Bengaluru players sprinted out to celebrate.

Bengaluru and Kohli have been on a roll since they won their first IPL crown at the 18th attempt last year at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

His landmark knock then turned the final into a one‑sided affair, thus reaffirming his reputation as the man for the big occasion.

Rasikh Salam, second right, celebrates the wicket of Rahul Tewatia with teammates during the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday night. AP

It also continued a remarkable streak as RCB have not lost a game since 2025 whenever Kohli has scored a fifty, as he ensured the side joined Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to successfully defend their IPL title, while extending the streak of Qualifier 1 winners lifting the trophy to nine seasons.

Kohli’s iconic number 18 jersey dominated the stands at the world’s biggest cricket ground, which recorded an official attendance of over 90,000 spectators on Sunday.

Kohli and fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer, who hit 32 off 16 balls, got Bengaluru off to a flying start in a 62-run partnership.

Mohammed Siraj broke the stand as he dismissed Iyer and Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal from the other end.

Rashid Khan struck twice in one over to send back skipper Rajat Patidar for 15 and Krunal Pandya to raise Gujarat’s hopes.

But Tim David and Kohli put on 41 runs to steady the chase. David fell for 24 but Kohli saw the team through with Jitesh Sharma for company.

Rajat Patidar, centre left, tosses the coin as Shubman Gill watches during the Indian Premier League final match in Ahmedabad. AP

“Well, I said to a few of the boys that it doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There’s a reason why we got here first,” Kohli said.

The former RCB captain said the team never lost sight of the formula that had made them the competition’s most consistent side during the league stage.

“And we just said one thing: if we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the comp. And there’s a reason why we have done well so far in the group stage. We ended up topping the league stage.”

Bengaluru’s quicks set up the victory as Rasikh Salam stood out with 3-27 in a disciplined attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who both took two wickets each.

The trio justified the decision to put Gujarat in to bat, striking early and regularly. Only Washington Sundar offered much resistance as he scored a defiant 50 not out.

Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru players sing national anthem at the start of the Indian Premier League final match in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday. AP

Hazlewood landed the first blow as he dismissed skipper Shubman Gill for 10 with Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar taking a fine running catch.

Kumar dislodged the other opener, Sai Sudharsan, for 12 in the next over.

Both Gill and Sudharsan were in the race for the Orange Cap awarded to the top scorer in the IPL season, but Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ended top of the list with 776 runs. Gill (732) and Sudharsan (722) finished second and third. Kohli was fourth with 675 runs, including one century.

Nishant Sindhu, who made 20, and Jos Buttler attempted to steady the Gujarat innings but struggled against a miserly attack and soon Salam removed Sindhu.

Krunal Pandya had Buttler stumped for 19 with his left-arm spin and Gujarat slumped to 73-4 in 12.1 overs.

Wickets continued to fall but Sundar stood firm to reach his fifty in the 20th over.

The effort was not enough as Gujarat ended runners-up for the second time in three finals, with their only triumph coming in their debut season in 2022.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75 not out, Venkatesh Iyer 32; Rashid Khan 2-25) by five wickets.