Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became only the third team to successfully defend an IPL title after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.
RCB joined the elite company of Chennai Super Kings (2010-11) and Mumbai Indians (2019-20) as the only teams to retain the trophy.
A disciplined bowling display led by Rasikh Salam and Bhuvneshwar Kumar restricted Gujarat to 155/8, before Virat Kohli’s 75 off 42 balls powered RCB to victory with two overs to spare.
Gujarat Titans survived an early scare when Sai Sudharsan’s caught-behind dismissal was overturned on review, but they soon lost both openers in the powerplay.
Captain Shubman Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Sudharsan in the next over. Nishant Sindhu and Jos Buttler attempted to rebuild the innings, but RCB’s bowlers kept the pressure on.
Rasikh Salam removed Sindhu for 20, and Buttler was stumped by Jitesh Sharma off Krunal Pandya’s bowling, leaving Gujarat at 73/4. Arshad Khan’s quick-fire 15 provided brief resistance before Hazlewood claimed his second wicket of the final.
Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 50 off 37 balls helped Gujarat Titans recover from a collapse and post 155/8. Rasikh Salam starred with 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets each.
In reply, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer provided a flying start before Gujarat struck back through Mohammed Siraj and Rashid Khan, reducing the defending champions to 91/4.
Kohli then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, his fastest IPL fifty, sharing key partnerships to keep RCB on track. He sealed the win with a six as RCB reached 161/5 in 18 overs to retain the title.