The legacy remains royal, just like the crown. Royal Challengers Bengaluru added another golden chapter to their history on winning their second IPL championship on a memorable Sunday evening in Ahmedabad. This victory was particularly significant for a franchise that has suffered through heartbreaking heartbreaks and rising peaks.

With Virat Kohli scoring the fastest half-century in the IPL, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second straight IPL championship by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets after a commanding chase of 156 runs.

RCB delivered when it counted most, thanks to the support of enthusiastic fans who never gave up. The victory, celebrated with fireworks and raw passion on the field, went beyond a championship win—it was a tribute to endurance, commitment, and a wish realized. Bengaluru has regained ownership of the crown.

Virat Kohli, an experienced batter, led with a spectacular fifty as RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium to successfully defend the championship.

Despite Washington Sundar scoring an unbeaten half-century for the hosts, Bengaluru’s seamers had a disciplined performance earlier to limit Gujarat Titans to 155/8.

In the Powerplay, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan early. Rasikh Salam Dar had his greatest spell of the season, taking 3-27.

Kohli scored a half-century in 25 balls and ended the innings with 75 runs off 42 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes. This was also his best score in the IPL playoffs. Additionally, he extended his amazing run; since 2025, RCB has not lost a single game in which he has scored fifty points.

Kohli’s superb innings, supported by Venkatesh Iyer’s fast 32, ensured the defending champions never lost control of the pursuit and finished the job with authority to win two straight IPL titles.

Both teams had reached the finals with the goal of winning their second IPL championship and joining the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders as multi-time winners.

After MI and CSK, RCB, who earned their first championship in Ahmedabad in 2025, has now successfully defended their title, continuing the streak of Qualifier 1 winners winning the trophy for nine seasons. Josh Hazlewood is still undefeated in white-ball finals, and Krunal Pandya has won every IPL final he has competed in, according to this victory.

Because of the inclement weather, GT, who were champions in 2022 at the same venue, were defeated by the scheduling grind of playing their third game at a third location in six days and disciplined RCB bowling, having arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday night.

Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept GT in check with early strikes and Rasikh Salam Dar’s three-for, but Washington Sundar’s fighting fifty gave them a total of 155/8. Then, Kohli’s historic innings made the championship game a one-sided affair, solidifying his status as the man for big occasions.

Beyond earning the unusual distinction of simultaneously holding both WPL and IPL titles, RCB has not only maintained its championship but has also solidified its position among the league’s most successful franchises with this clinical win in Ahmedabad.

Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer ripped into Gujarat Titans’ new-ball attack to start RCB’s 156-run pursuit. Iyer smashed 32 off 16 deliveries against Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, despite dealing with a right knee niggle, while Kohli used a barrage of wristy flicks—one of which went for an amazing six—and pulls to race 28 off just 10 balls in just four overs.

In the quickest fifty in an IPL final, the duo raised RCB’s fifty in 21 balls and ensured that the asking rate was never a concern from the start. Rabada, who had given up 37 runs in his first two overs, eventually caught Devdutt Padikkal at third man after Iyer finally threw a pull to mid-on off Siraj.

RCB, however, had already caused the damage by that time. Before turning off Jason Holder for four, Rajat Patidar joined Kohli and maintained the pace by yanking Siraj for six.

Meanwhile, GT’s mind games through Sai Sudharsan’s chatter did not stop Kohli from continuing to move forward. Rashid Khan’s over saw Patidar holing out to long-on right after the first time-out, and Krunal Pandya falling plumb lbw.

After pulling Arshad Khan short mid-wicket for a boundary, Kohli scored his half-century in 25 balls, despite suffering from cramps in his right leg, with Tim David joining in on the boundary-hitting action. Even if Kohli and Jitesh Sharma hit lovely fours to draw RCB closer, Arshad Khan was left behind with a feather edge when David decided to use the review.

As replays revealed that the ball had struck the ground when Gill was attempting to catch it at mid-on, Kohli then avoided a caught out call at 63. A six over long-on and a shot through the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket off Arshad completed the chase for Kohli, as it should have. to kindle joyous celebrations among the RCB team and their devoted fans after winning the IPL title once again.

Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50*, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75*, Venkatesh Iyer 32; Rashid Khan 2-25)