Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defended their IPL title by beating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 31).

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. Along the way, he slammed the fastest half-century of his IPL career in just 25 balls.

After delivering Player-of-the-Match performance in the final, Kohli received rich praise from legendary England pacer Stuart Broad.

Speaking on the "For the Love of Cricket" podcast, Broad highlighted the RCB stalwart's unparalleled legacy in the sport over the last 15 years.

“There is an argument that he could be the most important cricketer ever in such a moving environment that we've seen over the last, sort of, 15 years. For clarity on his achievements, he's won the under-19 World Cup as captain. Champions Trophy twice, ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, held the World Test Championship Mace as captain for 3 years and now 2 IPL titles,” Broad said.

Broad likened Kohli’s maiden IPL triumph in 2025 and subsequent championship run to golfer Rory McIlroy's career arc.

“And it did feel like the IPL was going to be the one that slipped past him, didn't it? It's sort of that Rory McIlroy scenario where everyone was sort of desperate for him to win. It looked like he just wasn't going to get over the line. And then once he's won it, gone back to back. And there must have been some good leadership around that group, including him, to be able to, I don't know, it's not easy to go back to back. It's not easy just to turn up for the next season. Oh, we'll just do it again. You know, you have to reset your goals. You have to reset your motivation and drive. And Kohli just never lacks drive, does he?” he added.

Virat Kohli finished the IPL 2026 season with 675 runs from 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including one hundred and five half-centuries.