The streets of Ahmedabad transformed into a sea of red and gold on Sunday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a spectacular feat, retaining their Indian Premier League (IPL) crown. Facing the formidable Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB showcased the clinical brilliance of true champions. Driven by a passionate crowd and clinical on-field execution, the designated home team comfortably chased down a target of 156 runs, securing a 5-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare. The triumph sparked ecstatic, unbridled celebrations across the country, firmly establishing RCB’s modern-day dynasty in IPL history.

RCB’s disciplined bowling restricts GT to a competitive total in IPL 2026 Final

Choosing to bowl first, RCB’s bowling unit put on a masterclass in defensive pressure and regular breakthroughs. They dismantled the Titans’ top order before it could cause real damage, starting with Shubman Gill (10 off 8 balls), who fell to Josh Hazlewood in the third over. Sai Sudharsan (12) quickly followed, leaving GT sputtering early on. Nishant Sindhu (20) and Jos Buttler (19) tried to anchor the innings, but they struggled against a heavily disciplined bowling attack.

The standout performer with the ball was Rasikh Salam, whose brilliant spell yielded 3 wickets for just 27 runs in his 4 overs, consistently breaking building partnerships. Krunal Pandya choked the run rate in the middle overs with an incredibly economical spell of 1 for 23, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar used his veteran experience to claim 2 for 29.

For the Titans, the lone warrior was Washington Sundar. Stepping up under immense pressure, Sundar smashed a fighting, unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, hitting 5 boundaries to push Gujarat Titans to a respectable 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Virat Kohli leads RCB to dominant IPL 2026 title defence against GT

Chasing 156 for back-to-back championships, RCB’s intent was crystal clear from the opening delivery. Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer ignited the chase with a blistering 32 off just 16 balls, including 5 fours and a six, helping RCB rocket past the 50-run mark in a mere 3.3 overs. Though Rashid Khan (2 for 25) threatened to derail the middle order by dismissing Rajat Patidar and Pandya in quick succession, he simply could not find a way past modern legend Virat Kohli.

Playing the anchor and aggressor simultaneously, Kohli anchored the chase with majestic authority. He reached his half-century in just 25 balls, effectively putting the game out of GT’s reach. Even as Tim David (24) departed in the 14th over, Kohli remained completely unfazed.

Kohli finished with a magnificent, unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, punctuated by 10 gorgeous boundaries and 2 towering sixes. Alongside Jitesh Sharma (11 not out), Kohli guided RCB to 161 for 5 in 18 overs. The historic back-to-back title win cements RCB’s legacy as a powerhouse, proving that their championship era is officially here to stay.

Also WATCH: Kailash Kher mesmerises Ahmedabad crowd with epic Shiv Tandav at closing ceremony during IPL 2026 Final

Here’s how fans reacted:

What a performance in the #IPL2026Final 👏
Complete domination 💪
A second back-to-back title for RCB 🏆🏆#RCBvsGT pic.twitter.com/R8KAGS1rGF

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 31, 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has won its second title. 😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/V0aPw7RtvE

— Cheekunation👑🚩 (@cheekuFication) May 31, 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are champions of IPL 2026.🏆#RCBvGT #RoyalChallengersBengaluru #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/hGZLmJWg0p

— Thimira Nawod (@ImThimira07) May 31, 2026

One more time! Royal Challengers Bengaluru Champion #Tejran #RCBvsGT #ipl #iplfinalmatch #viratkohli #anushkasharma pic.twitter.com/9IiRbeaM9Y

— Javed khan (@javedkhan201987) May 31, 2026

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU WON THE IPL 2026 🏆🔥

– Rajat Patidar & his team created history#Cricket #IPL2026 #TATAIPL2026 #TataIPL #IPL #ipl #RCBvsGT #GTvsRCB #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/ysoZOxNRS3

— Team India🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@PritiThaku53390) May 31, 2026

Back to Back IPL Titles for Royal Challengers Bengaluru 🏆

Congratulations RCB
Congratulations Virat Kohli , the ultimate Chase master ,The King 👑#RCBvsGT | #IPLFinal | #IPL2026Final | #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/UoMEf4qg0p

— khalnayak 😈 (@viratttt123) May 31, 2026

🔥 ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED TITLE ! @RCBTweets #Final #RCBvsGT #GTvsRCB#IPL #IPL2026 #PLAYBOLD pic.twitter.com/F9gRzxRI8s

— Param Garvaliya (@ParamGarvaliya) May 31, 2026

This team is more than just a cricket franchise to me, it’s an emotion, a part of my life, and a source of countless memories. Through every heartbreak, every near miss, every season filled with hope and disappointment, I stood by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Seventeen long years… pic.twitter.com/Yp2ZUNZxyw

— 卍 (@NashuBM0) May 31, 2026

🗣️ROYAL ATTACKING CHALLENGERS BENGALURU ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN AND WILL ATTACK NEXT YEAR AS WELL 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈🔥🔥🔥🔥 #RCBvsGT #ChampionsRCB #RCB pic.twitter.com/dBAmJ7Wh0J

— 'm Noob🗡️ (@loves_lohith) May 31, 2026

Virat Kohli chooses biggest stage to showcase what he is.

Fastest Half century of his career in the final. Brilliance written all over it.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 31, 2026

RCB have played front runners with aplomb. Like a Federer at Wimbledon, they would have made news if they had lost. The best constructed team and now they have 2 in 2.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 31, 2026

🚨 EMOTIONAL STATEMENT BY VIRAT KOHLI AFTER WINNING THE IPL 2026 TROPHY 🚨

Virat Kohli said 🗣️,

"When we finally lifted that trophy in 2025, it felt like a lifetime of weight was lifted off my shoulders. I thought that was the peak. But to stand here today, in 2026, holding… pic.twitter.com/wmC8YQzkX3

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) May 31, 2026

Also WATCH: Sai Sudharsan falls to a brilliant backward-running catch by Jitesh Sharma in IPL 2026 Final