RCB outplayed GT in the final to defend their IPL crown.
After winning the toss, RCB put in an excellent bowling performance to restrict GT to 155/8 in 20 overs. Rasikh Salam Dar bagged three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with a couple of scalps each.
Chasing a target of 156, Virat Kohli produced an unbeaten knock of 75 in 42 balls to take RCB over the line with five wickets and two overs to spare.
After the historic triumph, RCB issued a statement, urging fans to celebrate from the "comfort of home".
"What a night. What a feeling. To every member of the RCB nation, congratulations. This is YOUR win. As the celebrations begin, let's be responsible. The best way to celebrate is with your loved ones. Relive the memories, and enjoy this special moment from the comfort of home. We'll see you in the stadium next year, 12th Man Army. Until then, spread the joy and keep supporting us. #PlayBold #????RCB #IPL2026," RCB wrote in a post on X.
This cautious approach was adopted in the wake of their 2025 title win, where a massive victory parade outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium turned tragic due to a stampede, claiming 11 lives and leaving dozens injured.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar dedicated the IPL 2026 win to the victims of the devastating stampede incident.
“We dedicate this trophy to our fans, actually not fans but family members who passed away in the tragedy. I always wanted this trophy to dedicate it to them. I don’t have words to express that feeling,” Patidar said.
To honour the victims throughout the 2026 season, the franchise kept 11 seats permanently vacant at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, observed a minute of silence, and wore black armbands during training.
With this victory, RCB became only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend their crown, joining Chennai Super Kings (2011) and Mumbai Indians (2020). Patidar also made history as the first captain to win titles in each of his first two seasons.