Royal Challengers Bengaluru wrote another memorable chapter in their IPL journey as they successfully defended their title by defeating Gujarat Titans with five doors IPL 2026 The final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. The win gave RCB their second title in a row and placed them alongside the elite franchises who have managed to win back-to-back IPL crowns.
At the heart of the triumph was the RCB stalwart and batting icon Virat Kohlihe scored an unbeaten 75 off just 42 deliveries to win the match. His innings not only guided Bengaluru to 156 runs but also produced the fastest fifty of his IPL career and helped his team cross the finish line with two overs to spare.
Virat Kohli fulfills his long-time dream in the IPL 2026 final
With just one run required for victory, Kohli ensured there would be no doubt. Facing the Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan In the 18th over, the former RCB captain smashed the ball straight over the boundary ropes to seal the title. As his teammates ran onto the field, Kohli pointed to the stands, soaking up the atmosphere of another historic night for the franchise. It was a fitting end for a player who had dedicated nearly two decades to RCB and played a central role in the team’s success.
Speaking after receiving the Man of the Match award, Kohli admitted that winning the IPL final was a scenario he had imagined countless times throughout his career.
“It’s the stuff you dream about. I’ve thought about this moment many times, you know once when we won the IPL I should have stood there and hit the winning runs and tonight was possible. Yeah, it’s just a dream day for us,” Kohli said in the post match presentation.
We present the video:
manifested. Delivered. 🤌👑
Year after year we see the master of the chase, #ViratKohlireinvent yourself on the biggest stage of them all! 🔥#TATAIPL 2026 Final pic.twitter.com/fJhIqNYAMP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 31, 2026
The fastest IPL fifty adds another milestone
Kohli’s unbeaten knock was remarkable not only for its importance but also for its speed. The veteran batter reached his half-century off just 25 balls, registering the fastest fifty of his IPL career. The feat surpassed his previous best of 26 fifties twice in the 2018 season. It also made him one of the fastest fifty takers in IPL finals history, with the innings matching the records set by the likes of Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle in previous title clashes.
Despite producing one of the best knocks of his IPL career, Kohli insisted that personal milestones are not on his mind. Instead, he highlighted how the modern game and the emergence of fearless young cricketers has pushed him to improve. According to Kohli, the new generation T20 has raised the standards of batting, forcing experienced players to constantly adapt and improve their skills. He explained that he prides himself on improving his game and finding new areas to improve, adding that the challenge of keeping up with younger players remains one of his biggest motivations.
“I mean, that’s the demand of the sport 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 pick up the pace. And it’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work on. Yeah, I’m very proud of getting better and just trying to figure out the areas that I can improve on.” Kohli added.
