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When the IPL 2026 final demanded a match-winner, Virat Kohli answered the call in trademark fashion.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman produced an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls to guide his side to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 156 for victory, RCB reached 161/5 in 18 overs to successfully defend their title and cap off a season of dominance.

Calm, composed and clinical, Kohli controlled the chase from start to finish and fittingly struck the winning six that sparked wild celebrations among players and fans alike.

Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli blow Gujarat Titans away early

Any suspense surrounding the chase disappeared within the first few overs.

Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer launched a fearless assault on the Gujarat Titans bowling attack, particularly Kagiso Rabada, who endured a difficult evening. The pair attacked from the outset, racing to 62 runs in just 4.3 overs and placing RCB firmly in control.

Rabada was taken apart by a sequence of boundaries and a towering six from Kohli, while Venkatesh matched him stroke for stroke at the other end.

By the end of the Powerplay, RCB had stormed to 70/2 and had effectively reduced the required chase to a formality.

Gujarat Titans find openings but Kohli remains unshaken

The Titans briefly clawed their way back into the contest when Venkatesh, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya departed in quick succession.

From a position of complete control, RCB slipped to 91/4 and gave Gujarat a glimmer of hope.

However, Kohli never allowed panic to creep in.

The veteran batter expertly managed the innings, rotating strike when necessary and punishing anything loose. He reached his half-century with a pulled boundary off Arshad Khan and continued to guide the chase with remarkable assurance.

A brief scare arrived when Shubman Gill appeared to have taken a catch off Kohli, only for television replays to show the ball had touched the ground before completion.

It was one of the few moments that did not go Kohli's way on an otherwise perfect evening.

Tim David provides the finishing touch

While Kohli held the innings together, Tim David supplied the final burst of momentum.

The Australian all-rounder struck 24 off 17 balls and ensured the asking rate never became an issue. His aggressive approach eased the pressure and allowed Kohli to steer the innings towards the target.

Appropriately, it was Kohli who finished the contest, launching Arshad Khan over the boundary ropes for six to seal victory and send the RCB camp into jubilation.

The celebrations that followed reflected the magnitude of the achievement as players flooded the field to embrace their star batter.

Rajat Patidar joins an elite list of IPL captains

The victory was another landmark moment for Rajat Patidar.

The RCB skipper became only the third captain in IPL history after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to successfully defend an IPL title.

Known for his calm and reserved demeanour, Patidar finally allowed himself a broad smile as the final moments unfolded.

Around him, teammates celebrated another championship triumph, while Kohli remained at the centre of the occasion, just as he has throughout the franchise's journey.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers lay the foundation

Before Kohli's heroics with the bat, RCB's bowlers had already seized control of the final.

On a sluggish Narendra Modi Stadium surface, the Bengaluru attack executed their plans brilliantly to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8.

The pitch offered little assistance to stroke-makers, and RCB exploited those conditions perfectly through disciplined bowling and intelligent variations.

Josh Hazlewood struck the first major blow by removing Shubman Gill, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar soon dismissed Sai Sudharsan with a well-directed short ball.

With Gujarat's two biggest run-scorers back in the pavilion, the innings immediately lost direction.

The Titans managed only 45/2 in the Powerplay and never truly recovered.

Washington Sundar fights a lonely battle

Amid Gujarat's struggles, Washington Sundar stood out as the lone bright spot.

The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 50 off 37 deliveries and attempted to rebuild an innings that was constantly losing momentum.

However, support was scarce.

Jos Buttler struggled to accelerate, Nishant Sindhu failed to convert his start and Rahul Tewatia fell before making a meaningful contribution.

Young pacer Rasikh Salam Dhar continued his impressive campaign, claiming 3/27 and removing key middle-order batters at crucial moments.

The Titans had to wait until the 13th over to register their first six of the innings, highlighting the extent of their struggles on a difficult batting surface.

A final that belonged to RCB and Virat Kohli

Gujarat Titans entered the final carrying the physical and mental toll of a demanding playoff run, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru showed no signs of mercy.

Their bowlers controlled the first innings, their batters dominated the chase and their biggest superstar delivered when it mattered most.

At the heart of it all stood Virat Kohli.

The 37-year-old once again proved why he remains one of the greatest players the tournament has ever seen, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second consecutive IPL crown and adding yet another memorable chapter to his extraordinary legacy.

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