The IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) took place at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31, 2026. Rajat Patidar, the captain of the RCB, chose to bowl first after winning the toss.

The famous GT opening pair of Shubman Gill (10) and Sai Sudharsan (12) scored just 22 runs for the first wicket. Nishant Sindhu scored 20, and Jos Buttler hit 19 in 23 balls in an effort to halt the wicket loss.

Washington Sundar's 50* helped GT reach 155/8 in 20 overs. Rasikh Salam stood out with 3/27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar each took two wickets for RCB.

In reaction, Virat Kohli anchored the other end as Venkatesh Iyer, with a leg injury, hammered 32 runs in 16 balls. Devdutt Padikkal (1), Rajat Patidar (15), and Krunal Pandya (1) were among the quick wickets that RCB lost. But Tim David (24) and Kohli combined for 41 runs to restore peace in the RCB camp.

Despite a leg injury, Virat Kohli managed to carry the RCB innings on one leg, scoring 75* in 42 balls with three sixes and nine fours. With five wickets remaining, RCB won the IPL 2026 final.

After the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, RCB is now the third side to win the IPL championship in two consecutive years.

Virat Kohli spoke to the official broadcasters after winning the match and IPL 2026 title and called it a “clinical performance." He also stated that the team knew they were the best in IPL 2026.

“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 had 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 and execute our plans, we are the best team in the comp. And there’s a reason why we have done well so far in the group stage. We ended up topping the league stage. And yeah, it’s just the skill sets we have; the maturity and the composure of the guys just shone through again tonight, and it was a clinical performance," Kohli said to official broadcasters, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“Well, to be fair, after the break, we had a couple of losses. I mean, one loss, and then we had a close win against MI. I’d say that week for us was a bit tricky because we wanted to finish at the top. But as soon as we got that win against MI, the belief kicked back in. Then we had a comprehensive win against KKR and then, yeah, just ended up topping the table and just on our way to the finals,” he added.

He was asked about the RCB team and his teammates, and Kohli stated that a team and players who are willing to step up every time lessen the pressure on him.

“Oh, it’s amazing. I mean, we’ve had to wait for so long. And then, you know, just to have a group of guys where you feel like you’re stepping onto the ground, you don’t need to be the one to step up every time. There are guys behind you, around you, who can win games of cricket for you. We have so many Man of the Match awards collected throughout the group as well. I mean, you look at world-class bowling like Hoff, Bhuvi, and Duffy. I mean, Krunal Pandya, you know, you can bank on him; he's as good as ever. Rasikh Dar was brilliant this season. All the batsmen chipped in as well. So, I feel so happy to play in a group where we have balance, we have strength, and we are an all-around strong team. And yeah, that’s why we have the confidence we have on the field right now,” Kohli stated.

Virat Kohli was also named the Player of the Match for his 75*.