161/5 (18.0)
CR : 8.94
155/8 (20.0)
CR : 7.75
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Virat Kohli
75(42)*
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans Captain): "[You would agree that if the score had been 180-190, it would have been a competitive game?] Yeah, definitely! I think if we would have gotten close to 180-190, it would have been a good match.
[Do you think the pitch was two-paced?] Honestly, not that much. Maybe a little bit. Whenever we have played here, we have seen that there is some movement for the fast bowlers in the first three or four overs. We lost a couple of early wickets. Then we kind of lost the momentum in the middle. You know, we couldn't really get going. But then we knew we were playing the finals, and with 150, 160, if we get a couple of early wickets in the powerplay, we are always in the game
[Picking up wickets a little too late] Yeah, I think 15-20 runs too many in the powerplay. Had we restricted them to around 50-55 runs, we still would have had a chance. But I think they got away a little bit in the powerplay.
[Where does he think was GT's biggest improvement from the last year?] I think we were one of the best bowling sides in the tournament. The way, after losing the first couple of games, we came back in the tournament after losing the first couple of games, the way we kept talking, kept pushing ourselves, kept challenging ourselves in different areas, and kept improving those 5 percent factors.
[On the campaign] Yeah, definitely! Very happy. We couldn’t get over the line, but there are always things that you could improve on. And even if we had won the trophy, there were still things we felt as a group needed to work on."
[Do you think the pitch was two-paced?] Honestly, not that much. Maybe a little bit. Whenever we have played here, we have seen that there is some movement for the fast bowlers in the first three or four overs. We lost a couple of early wickets. Then we kind of lost the momentum in the middle. You know, we couldn't really get going. But then we knew we were playing the finals, and with 150, 160, if we get a couple of early wickets in the powerplay, we are always in the game
[Picking up wickets a little too late] Yeah, I think 15-20 runs too many in the powerplay. Had we restricted them to around 50-55 runs, we still would have had a chance. But I think they got away a little bit in the powerplay.
[Where does he think was GT's biggest improvement from the last year?] I think we were one of the best bowling sides in the tournament. The way, after losing the first couple of games, we came back in the tournament after losing the first couple of games, the way we kept talking, kept pushing ourselves, kept challenging ourselves in different areas, and kept improving those 5 percent factors.
[On the campaign] Yeah, definitely! Very happy. We couldn’t get over the line, but there are always things that you could improve on. And even if we had won the trophy, there were still things we felt as a group needed to work on."
Mr. Arun Singh Dhumal is now handing over the Runners Up Shield to the Captain of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill.
Andy Flower (Head Coach of RCB) is now stepping up to the podium to collect the winners memento, on behalf of the entire Royal Challengers Bengaluru team.
Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain): "(His feeling after winning the title in back to back years) I think it feels superb you know. When we came here, we had a lot of memories of last year but at the same time, we had to be more at the present. Feeling good. I don't have words to express but yeah, feeling good.
(On his team's body language on the field tonight) Yeah, they were just clear planning for us. We had decided that if we win the toss, we will chase. It's always easy to chase you know. Our plan was to get their top 3 inside the powerplay and then it will be easy for us. The way our bowlers bowled throughout the tournament, not just in this match was just superb and the way, Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh, KP, Suyash, Shephy (Shepherd) - I think they bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament.
(On his life at RCB since 2022) To be honest, I never dreamt of that. I never dreamt of being a captain and lifting the trophy for RCB. I think it was all written and I am grateful for it.
(His takeaway from his season) Obviously, last year there was a lot of pressure because it was our first year. This year, we were pretty much confident with the way we played throughout the tournament and everyone was looking in a good frame of mind and slightly more in confidence. It was good to see fans turning up in numbers wherever we go. It felt like every game was a home game for us.
(On his own form this season) I think before entering the tournament, the pre-tournament prep was really good for me. I looked at my batting. I tried to analyze where I can improve, especially against the fast bowlers. During the season, I worked with DK, VK bhai and so many others which helped me.
(On keeping someone like Virat Kohli motivated) Whenever I see him on the field and off the field, he is always there for the team. He is always there for the players. The new players who came in, had a lot of hesitation to speak but he goes straightaway to them and talked to them. I think it was superb.
(A word for the crowd) So, this one is for you again, RCB fans. EE SALA NU CUP NAMDU. Thank you."
(On his team's body language on the field tonight) Yeah, they were just clear planning for us. We had decided that if we win the toss, we will chase. It's always easy to chase you know. Our plan was to get their top 3 inside the powerplay and then it will be easy for us. The way our bowlers bowled throughout the tournament, not just in this match was just superb and the way, Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh, KP, Suyash, Shephy (Shepherd) - I think they bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament.
(On his life at RCB since 2022) To be honest, I never dreamt of that. I never dreamt of being a captain and lifting the trophy for RCB. I think it was all written and I am grateful for it.
(His takeaway from his season) Obviously, last year there was a lot of pressure because it was our first year. This year, we were pretty much confident with the way we played throughout the tournament and everyone was looking in a good frame of mind and slightly more in confidence. It was good to see fans turning up in numbers wherever we go. It felt like every game was a home game for us.
(On his own form this season) I think before entering the tournament, the pre-tournament prep was really good for me. I looked at my batting. I tried to analyze where I can improve, especially against the fast bowlers. During the season, I worked with DK, VK bhai and so many others which helped me.
(On keeping someone like Virat Kohli motivated) Whenever I see him on the field and off the field, he is always there for the team. He is always there for the players. The new players who came in, had a lot of hesitation to speak but he goes straightaway to them and talked to them. I think it was superb.
(A word for the crowd) So, this one is for you again, RCB fans. EE SALA NU CUP NAMDU. Thank you."
Rajat Patidar walks up onto the stage and collects the trophy from Mr. Mithun Manhas and Mr. Devajit Saikia. His teammates join him and the celebrations begin as RCB win back-to-back IPL titles.
Patidar kisses the trophy once the dignitaries make way for the players to celebrate. Krunal Pandya is the first one to leap onto the podium, followed by the rest of the RCB players. All of them get ready to show their energetic, joyful celebration as their skipper, Rajat Patidar, lifts the silverware. Virat Kohli is absolutely pumped up. He lets out a roar alongside Tim David and several others. Patidar hands it to VK as another round of celebration begins. On to Krunal now. Then the vice-captain, Jitesh Sharma. Following which David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood all lift the beautiful trophy. Then everyone moves towards the CHAMPIONS hoarding. RCB players, support staff, and all their ecstatic team members join in for the photographs.
IPL 2026 - Dawn of a New Era in Modern-Day Cricket
Most Runs in a Season: 27450
Highest runs-per-wicket in a Season: 31.26
Highest RPO in a Season: 9.88
Most Fours in a Season: 2332
Most Sixes in a Season: 1426
Most Individual Hundreds in a Season: 15
Most 200-plus Totals in a Year: 65
Most Successful 200-plus Run Chases: 17
Most Runs in a Season: 27450
Highest runs-per-wicket in a Season: 31.26
Highest RPO in a Season: 9.88
Most Fours in a Season: 2332
Most Sixes in a Season: 1426
Most Individual Hundreds in a Season: 15
Most 200-plus Totals in a Year: 65
Most Successful 200-plus Run Chases: 17
Teams lifting the IPL title after winning Qualifier 1:
2018: CSK beat SRH in Q1 → CSK became champions
2019: MI beat CSK in Q1 → MI became champions
2020: MI beat DC in Q1 → MI became champions
2021: CSK beat DC in Q1 → CSK became champions
2022: GT beat RR in Q1 → GT became champions
2023: CSK beat GT in Q1 → CSK became champions
2024: KKR beat SRH in Q1 → KKR became champions
2025: RCB beat PBKS in Q1 → RCB became champions
2026: RCB beat GT in Q1 → RCB became champions
2018: CSK beat SRH in Q1 → CSK became champions
2019: MI beat CSK in Q1 → MI became champions
2020: MI beat DC in Q1 → MI became champions
2021: CSK beat DC in Q1 → CSK became champions
2022: GT beat RR in Q1 → GT became champions
2023: CSK beat GT in Q1 → CSK became champions
2024: KKR beat SRH in Q1 → KKR became champions
2025: RCB beat PBKS in Q1 → RCB became champions
2026: RCB beat GT in Q1 → RCB became champions
Teams to Win Back-to-Back IPL Titles:
CSK: 2010 & 2011 (under MS Dhoni)
MI: 2019 & 2020 (under Rohit Sharma)
RCB: 2025 & 2026 (under Rajat Patidar)*
CSK: 2010 & 2011 (under MS Dhoni)
MI: 2019 & 2020 (under Rohit Sharma)
RCB: 2025 & 2026 (under Rajat Patidar)*
What a breathtaking finish to an unforgettable season of cricket in the Incredible Premier League! Royal Challengers Bengaluru have etched their names into history, securing back-to-back IPL titles and becoming only the third franchise, after MI and CSK, to achieve that remarkable feat.
It has been a season filled with memorable stories. A 37-year-young Virat Kohli once again delivered on the grandest stage, rising to the occasion in the final, while 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captivated fans throughout the tournament with his fearless brand of cricket and immense talent.
While it is pure jubilation for the RCB faithful, spare a thought for the Gujarat Titans, who fought valiantly until the very last ball but must endure the agony of falling just short on the biggest night of them all.
And with that, it is time to draw the curtains on a truly incredible season. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you for tuning in, riding the emotional rollercoasters, and making this tournament such a grand success.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Akshay Bhide, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Ajay Pal Singh, Manish Bishnoi, Paras Yadav and Aman, and on behalf of the entire Crickxo team, who brought you every update from this mouth-watering grand finale and also throughout the season. Until next time, thank you for being part of the ride. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
It has been a season filled with memorable stories. A 37-year-young Virat Kohli once again delivered on the grandest stage, rising to the occasion in the final, while 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captivated fans throughout the tournament with his fearless brand of cricket and immense talent.
While it is pure jubilation for the RCB faithful, spare a thought for the Gujarat Titans, who fought valiantly until the very last ball but must endure the agony of falling just short on the biggest night of them all.
And with that, it is time to draw the curtains on a truly incredible season. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you for tuning in, riding the emotional rollercoasters, and making this tournament such a grand success.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Akshay Bhide, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Ajay Pal Singh, Manish Bishnoi, Paras Yadav and Aman, and on behalf of the entire Crickxo team, who brought you every update from this mouth-watering grand finale and also throughout the season. Until next time, thank you for being part of the ride. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋