Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have done it again. The defending champions clinched their second consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans in a dominant final that has been hailed as one of the most impressive title runs in recent memory. The victory sparked celebrations far beyond Bengaluru, with tributes pouring in from rival franchises, cricket legends, politicians, and fans alike.
Dominant Performance in the Final
RCB's triumph over Gujarat Titans was marked by a commanding all-round performance. Batting first, RCB posted a formidable total of 218 for 4, powered by a blistering 89 off 48 balls from Virat Kohli and a quickfire 62 off 34 from Faf du Plessis. In reply, Gujarat Titans were restricted to 172 for 8, with Mohammed Siraj picking up 3 for 28. The win sealed RCB's back-to-back titles, a feat achieved only by a few teams in IPL history.
Reactions from Cricket Fraternity
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to congratulate RCB, highlighting the challenge of sustaining success. He posted: 'Congratulations to @RCBTweets on winning consecutive @IPL titles. One of the challenges in sport is that success changes the questions you have to answer. After winning once, the task is no longer proving you can do it, but proving you can sustain it. RCB met that challenge.'
Chennai Super Kings, known for their own title-winning pedigree, welcomed RCB to the back-to-back club with a tweet: 'Winning back to back is always a special feeling. Congrats @RCBTweets and welcome to the club.' RCB responded warmly, thanking their neighbours and looking forward to next year's encounters.
Punjab Kings also joined the chorus, tweeting: 'Back-2-Back. Simply outstanding, @RCBTweets!' The message was accompanied by a graphic celebrating RCB's achievement.
Politicians and Fans Celebrate
Politicians from Karnataka and beyond extended their congratulations. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised RCB for bringing glory to the state, while Union Minister Piyush Goyal lauded the team's consistency. Fans erupted in joy across social media, with many sharing videos of celebrations in Bengaluru's streets. One viral moment showed Virat Kohli handing his historic pads to fans after the match, with his wife Anushka Sharma smiling proudly.
The hashtag #RCB trended nationwide as supporters celebrated the team's dominance. RCB also released a special Champions Tee in collaboration with Puma, which quickly sold out online.
A Historic Achievement
RCB's back-to-back titles place them among the elite in IPL history, joining Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020). The team's consistent performance throughout the season, with 12 wins in 16 matches, underscored their status as the most dominant side in the tournament. As the celebrations continue, RCB fans are already looking forward to a potential three-peat in 2027.
