IPL 2026
‘We Knew We Were the Best Team’ – Virat Kohli on RCB IPL 2026 Win
By CricShots - Jun 1, 2026 1:10 am
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a historic achievement by successfully defending their IPL crown and winning the IPL 2026 title with a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Led by Rajat Patidar and inspired by another match-winning performance from Virat Kohli, RCB became only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back championships after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli chased down the score for RCB

After winning the toss, Patidar opted to bowl first and retained the same playing XI that had dominated throughout the playoffs. GT started positively through Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, but RCB’s pace attack quickly took control. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Gill for 10, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sudharsan for 12. Jos Buttler struggled to find rhythm and managed only 19 runs from 23 deliveries as Gujarat lost momentum during the middle overs.

Washington Sundar capitalised on the opportunity after a missed catch, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls. Arshad Khan added a quick 15 from six deliveries as Gujarat Titans finished on 155/8. RCB’s chase began aggressively. Venkatesh Iyer blasted 32 off just 16 balls to provide early momentum, while Kohli settled into his familiar role as chase master.  Rashid Khan briefly brought GT back into the contest by dismissing Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in the same over.

ALSO READ: From ‘Ee Sala’ to ‘Prati Sala’: RCB Fans Celebrate Another IPL Title After Beating GT

However, Virat Kohli remained unfazed. The veteran batter raced to his half-century in just 25 balls, registering the fastest IPL fifty of his career. Tim David contributed a valuable 24 off 17 balls before falling, but Kohli stayed unbeaten on 75 and fittingly finished the chase with a towering six to seal RCB’s second consecutive IPL title.

Named Player of the Match, Virat Kohli reflected on the significance of the victory. “It’s stuff that you dream of. Thought of this moment many times, to win the IPL and stand here. The kind of team you have gives you the confidence to see off any kind of situation.”

The RCB star also spoke about adapting his game and maintaining high standards despite being one of the most experienced players in the tournament. “Such is the demand of the sport today. You have these young players pushing you hard and asking you to get better. You need to get those 20-30 runs extra. I had to change my mindset, not so much by game, to get those runs.”

Kohli credited Venkatesh Iyer for his aggressive start and praised the clarity within the batting group. “They probably looked to get me out early, but I had the confidence that even if I got out, there was enough depth in the side to pull it off. There was total clarity and both of us wanted to strike. We had small targets in mind.”

Reflecting on RCB’s title defence, Virat Kohli admitted the pressure felt different compared to last season, when the franchise ended its long wait for a maiden IPL trophy.

WATCH – Virat Kohli Finishes IPL 2026 Final in Style with Title-Winning Six

“Well, I said to a few of the boys that it doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There’s a reason why we got here first And we just said one thing: if we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the competition.”

Kohli also highlighted the balance within the squad, pointing to the contributions made throughout the season by both batters and bowlers.

 

“There’s guys behind you, around you, who can win games of cricket for you. We have so many Man of the Match awards cranked throughout the group stage as well.” The former RCB captain reserved special praise for the bowling attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. “You look at world-class bowling like Hoff, Bhuvi, Duffy. Krunal Pandya, you can bank on him. Rasikh Dar was brilliant this season. All the batters chipped in as well.”

Finally, Virat Kohli paid tribute to RCB’s passionate supporters, who once again turned an away venue into a home ground. “I always say that we don’t have just seven home games; we have 14. GT are the home team here, but probably 90% are RCB fans.”

From topping the league stage to delivering under pressure in the final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru showcased consistency, depth, and composure throughout IPL 2026. Their successful title defence has firmly established them among the league’s modern powerhouses, with Virat Kohli once again at the heart of another unforgettable triumph.

Tags feelingfinalIPL 2026RCB finalRoyal Challengers Bengaluruvirat kohli