Royal Challengers Bangalore Wrote another memorable chapter in their IPL journey as they successfully defended their title by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in ipl 2026 Final on 31 May at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The win gave RCB its second consecutive championship and puts them among the elite franchises that have managed to win consecutive IPL titles.
RCB legend and batting icon was at the center of the victory Virat KohliWho played a match-winning inning of 75 runs unbeaten on just 42 balls. His innings not only helped Bengaluru chase down the target of 156, but also scored the fastest half-century of his IPL career, helping his team cross the finish line with two overs to spare.
Virat Kohli fulfills a long-time dream in IPL 2026 final
With only one run required to win, Kohli ensured there would be no suspense. Gujarat Titans spinner faces Rashid Khan In the 18th over, the former RCB skipper clinched the title by smashing the ball straight across the boundary line for a six. At that moment, wild celebrations broke out as teammates ran onto the field while Kohli pointed towards the stands and soaked in the atmosphere of another historic night for the franchise. It was a fitting end for a player who has dedicated almost two decades to RCB and been at the heart of the team’s success.
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Kohli admitted that scoring the winning runs in the IPL final was a scenario he had imagined countless times throughout his career.
“This is the thing you dream about. I have thought about this moment so many times, that, you know, once we win the IPL, I should be standing there to score the winning runs and tonight it became possible. So yes, just a dream day for us,” Kohli said in the presentation after the match.
Here is the video:
Revealed. Delivered. 🤌👑
Year after year we watch the Chase Master, #ViratKohliReestablish yourself on the biggest stage of them all! 🔥#TATAIPL 2026 final pic.twitter.com/fJhIqNYAMP
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 31 May 2026
Also read: Fans rejoiced as Virat Kohli led RCB to two consecutive IPL titles with a stunning win over GT.
Fastest IPL half-century adds another milestone
Kohli’s unbeaten inning was notable not only because of its significance but also because of its pace. The experienced batsman completed his half-century in just 25 balls, which is the fastest half-century of his IPL career. This historic feat eclipsed his previous best of a half-century in 26 balls, a feat he had achieved twice during the 2018 season. It also made him among the fastest half-centuries in IPL final history, his innings equaling the record set by players like Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle in previous title matches.
Despite producing one of the finest innings of his IPL career, Kohli insisted that personal milestones were not on his mind. Instead, he highlighted how the modern game and the emergence of fearless young cricketers are pushing them to improve. According to Kohli, the new generation has raised the standards of T20 batting, forcing experienced players to constantly adapt and hone their skills. He explained that he takes pride in developing his game and finding new areas to improve, adding that the challenge of keeping up with younger players is one of his biggest motivations.
“I mean, that’s the demand of the game today. I mean, you have these, you know, super young players pushing you all the time and really asking you to change your game and move forward. And it’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work on. And yeah, I take a lot of pride in getting better and trying to figure out areas where I can improve.” Added Kohli.