Virat Kohli guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second straight IPL title, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated the season awards.
Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their Indian Premier League title, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, powered by a commanding unbeaten knock from Virat Kohli and a disciplined bowling display.
After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first on a surface offering movement and grip. RCB’s pace attack capitalised on the conditions to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8, with Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam sharing key breakthroughs.
Hazlewood struck early by dismissing GT captain Shubman Gill, while Bhuvneshwar removed Sai Sudharsan during the powerplay to leave Gujarat under pressure. Salam, enjoying his most successful IPL campaign, claimed three wickets, while Krunal Pandya chipped in with a crucial spell, including the dismissal of Jos Buttler.
Despite a fighting unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar, Gujarat struggled to build momentum as RCB bowlers maintained control through the middle and death overs.
Chasing 156, Bengaluru got off to a brisk start through Venkatesh Iyer, whose aggressive 32 off 16 balls helped ease pressure despite suffering a knee injury early in the innings.
Kohli then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75, producing his fastest IPL fifty and highest playoff score in the process. The former RCB skipper attacked aggressively, particularly against Kagiso Rabada, helping keep the asking rate firmly under control.
Although Gujarat briefly fought back through Rashid Khan, who picked up two wickets, Kohli ensured there were no late hiccups, finishing the chase in style with a boundary and six as RCB reached 161/5 with two overs remaining.
The victory made RCB only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title after ending their long wait for a maiden trophy last season.
The 2026 edition of the IPL belonged in many ways to 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who walked away with multiple individual honours after a record-breaking season.
The Rajashtan Royals opener clinched the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs, amassed 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30, and also won both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Emerging Player awards — becoming the first cricketer in IPL history to secure the latter two in the same season.
The teenager also shattered Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a single IPL season, smashing 72 maximums and emerging as one of the biggest talking points of the tournament.
“It feels nice, but there is pressure because I am doing interviews. It is a proud moment and I will try and do well next season too,” Sooryavanshi said after receiving the awards.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar had earlier described the youngster as “truly special”, praising his shot-making ability and exceptional wrist work.
GT pacer Kagiso Rabada finished with the Purple Cap after taking 29 wickets during the season, narrowly edging out RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who claimed 28 wickets.
