Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their Indian Premier League crown by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the same venue where they lifted their maiden title a year ago. Fittingly, it was Virat Kohli who sealed the victory with a winning six, capping off another memorable night in the franchise's history.
Kohli's Match-Winning Knock
Kohli once again underlined his status as one of the IPL's all-time greats with a match-winning unbeaten 75 off 42 balls. His knock earned him the Player of the Match award, making him the second-oldest player to win the honour in an IPL final.
Oldest Players to Win Player of the Match in an IPL Final
- Anil Kumble (RCB, 2009) – 38 years, 219 days
- Virat Kohli (RCB, 2026) – 37 years, 207 days
- Faf du Plessis (CSK, 2021) – 37 years, 94 days
- Shane Watson (CSK, 2018) – 36 years, 344 days
The award also helped Kohli achieve another significant milestone. He moved past Rohit Sharma to become the Indian player with the most Player of the Match awards in IPL history. Having been tied with Rohit on 21 awards, Kohli's performance in the final took him to 22, drawing level with Chris Gayle in the overall standings.
Most Player of the Match Awards in IPL History
- AB de Villiers – 25
- Chris Gayle – 22
- Virat Kohli – 22
- Rohit Sharma – 21
- MS Dhoni – 18
Match Summary
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominance and clinched back-to-back IPL titles after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. GT posted 155/8 in their 20 overs, but RCB's disciplined bowling attack kept the dangerous batting lineup in check. Despite a few late boundaries, Gujarat never managed to build substantial partnerships and finished with a below-par total. In reply, RCB chased down the target comfortably, reaching 161/5 in just 18 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a brilliant unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, anchoring the innings and ensuring there were no late hiccups. His knock proved decisive as RCB crossed the finish line with two overs to spare and sealed their second consecutive IPL crown.
Stay updated with the IPL 2026 Final between RCB and GT on Times of India. Follow live match updates, the latest IPL news, full IPL schedule, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
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