RCB Wins IPL 2026: Virat Kohli Leads Royal Challengers Bengaluru To Title Defence Against Gujarat Titans

Royal Challengers Bengaluru retain the IPL crown as Virat Kohli leads a tense chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. RCB reach 156 with wickets and balls to spare, defending the title they won in Ahmedabad in 2025 and claiming their second IPL trophy.

Earlier, RCB’s seamers pin Gujarat Titans to 155/8 despite a fighting half‑century from Washington Sundar. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar remove Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay, while Rasikh Salam Dar returns his best figures of the season with 3-27 as GT struggle to build momentum.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Kohli’s fastest IPL fifty seals tense chase

Virat Kohli owns the big night with a blistering 25-ball fifty, the fastest IPL half‑century of Kohli’s career. He reaches the mark by pulling Arshad Khan past short midwicket for four, then continues to control the chase even after suffering a hamstring scare. RCB stay ahead of the required rate despite regular wickets.

Venkatesh Iyer, used as an Impact substitute opener, attacks Mohammad Siraj and Kagiso Rabada early. Iyer survives a close miss when Siraj just fails to hit leg stump as Iyer shuffles across, then belts 32 off 16 balls including boundaries off Rabada, who concedes 18 runs in his first over as RCB race to 23/0.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Wickets fall but Bengaluru stay in control

Mohammed Siraj pulls GT back by dismissing Venkatesh Iyer for 32 off 16, caught by Kagiso Rabada, leaving RCB 63/1 after five overs. Kagiso Rabada then removes Devdutt Padikkal for 1 off 4, caught by Arshad Khan at third man, taking Rabada to a season tally of 29 wickets and lifting GT’s hopes.

Rajat Patidar joins Kohli and keeps the chase on track, smashing Mohammed Siraj for a 80‑metre six over deep backward square leg as 11 runs come from the seventh over. Patidar also punishes Jason Holder’s short ball with a pull to midwicket, but falls for 15 off 13 off Rashid Khan, caught by Rabada.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Rashid Khan strikes but GT cannot stop Kohli

Rashid Khan threatens a twist by striking twice. First, Rashid dismisses Patidar, then traps Krunal Pandya lbw for 1 off 2 after the batter and Kohli decide against a review. Those wickets reduce RCB to 91/4 after nine overs, briefly providing Gujarat Titans a path back into the final.

Tim David responds with an attacking 24 off 17 balls, sharing a crucial stand with Kohli. David edges Rashid past slip for four after a tight run-out review and Kohli’s hamstring concern. However, Arshad Khan removes David following a successful review, with Jos Buttler’s catch and UltraEdge overturning the on-field not‑out decision.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Lower order keeps composure in closing stages

After David falls with RCB 132/5 in the 14th over, Jitesh Sharma begins confidently, driving Prasidh Krishna for four through extra cover. Kohli continues to pick gaps, including a fine‑leg boundary off Arshad Khan with a controlled pull, while RCB need 11 from 24 balls and then 8 from 18, comfortably finishing the chase.

RCB’s aggressive batting philosophy holds firm throughout the season and again in the final. Kohli, Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer commit to attacking from the start, regardless of conditions. Under Rajat Patidar’s calm captaincy, Bengaluru’s batters operate in clear roles, often posting large scores and intimidating bowling attacks.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Washington Sundar’s fifty rescues Titans innings

Gujarat Titans’ innings begins with Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill facing Jacob Duffy. Sudharsan hits two early fours, one through fine leg and another over wide long‑off, as GT move to 13/0. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then concedes five runs in the second over, including Gill’s first boundary punched on the rise through covers.

Hazlewood changes the tone in the third over. Gill first steps out and jabs a ball through midwicket for four, but then miscontrols a trademark pull off a short‑of‑length delivery. Extra bounce causes a sliced shot, and Patidar takes a safe catch at mid‑off, leaving GT 24/1 and their captain out cheaply.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Early collapse leaves Gujarat Titans under pressure

Bhuvneshwar Kumar removes Sai Sudharsan next, with a short‑pitched delivery that Sudharsan mishits while attempting a pull. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma completes an easy running catch, and GT slip to 30/2 after four overs. Hazlewood’s second over then costs nine runs as Nishant Sindhu strikes two fours, through cover‑point and third man.

By the end of the Powerplay, Rasikh Salam strays down leg and Sindhu pulls for another boundary. GT reach 45/2 after six overs, but RCB stay on top. Rasikh then strikes in the eighth over, when Sindhu steps out and mistimes a flat‑batted hit. Devdutt Padikkal takes a boundary‑edge catch, sending Sindhu back for 20 off 18.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Controversial escape and patient rebuild for GT

Washington Sundar arrives with GT 59/3 as Krunal Pandya applies pressure with restrictive spin, conceding just three runs in his second over. Gujarat’s scoring slows further, with Krunal giving away only five in another over and Jacob Duffy delivering an over of six singles, leaving GT 73/3 after 12 overs.

Krunal removes Jos Buttler for 19 off 23, stumped by Jitesh Sharma when the batter charges down and is beaten in flight. At 83/4, Sundar holds GT together. Duffy appears to dismiss Sundar, caught at fine leg by Jordan Cox, but replays reveal the ball touching the ground. Sundar survives, and Titans stay 63/3 at that moment.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Sundar counter‑attacks as Rasikh and Hazlewood strike

Gujarat’s top order has usually preferred measured starts. Before this match, in 12 previous innings batting first since 2025, the team had lost only five Powerplay wickets, with both openers surviving eight times. The only other instance of two wickets lost while setting a target came against Sunrisers Hyderabad here, when GT slid to 34/2 but still posted 168/5 and won by 82 runs.

Sundar begins to lift the scoring, collecting consecutive fours off Jacob Duffy in the 14th over. Arshad Khan adds a huge six down the ground as 16 runs come, taking GT to 99/4. Hazlewood responds in the fifteenth over by bouncing Arshad out for 15 off 6, with Rasikh taking a simple catch at short fine leg to make it 105/5.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Titans finish on 155/8 after late flurry

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who earlier removed Sudharsan, returns at the death and concedes 10 runs in the 16th over, including a boundary for Rahul Tewatia. Rasikh then dismisses Tewatia for 7 off 5, as a mistimed slog goes high to mid‑on where Patidar completes the catch, leaving GT 121/6 in the 17th over.

Hazlewood’s final over goes for 16 as GT attempt to accelerate. Sundar ramps a four over the keeper, while Jason Holder adds two fours through midwicket, taking the score to 137/6 after 18 overs. Bhuvneshwar ends Holder’s 19 off 14 cameo in the nineteenth over with a top‑edged pull caught by Hazlewood at short third, making it 145/7.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Rashid’s cameo and Sundar’s fifty lift GT total

Rashid Khan starts the last over from Rasikh by launching a straight six off the first ball. Rasikh answers with a short ball that Rashid top‑edges to Romario Shepherd at deep backward square leg, departing for 7 off 3. Sundar completes a 50 off 37 balls, featuring five fours, and GT close on 155/8 after 20 overs.

Cricbuzz notes before the chase that the pitch offers significant bounce and that GT’s pace attack can use it. Sub‑160 totals have been defended four times in IPL finals, three by Mumbai Indians in 2013, 2017 and 2019, and once by Deccan Chargers in 2009. A target above 180 is suggested as ideal, but GT must work with 155.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Season journeys, philosophies and key squads

Defending champions RCB enter the final after topping the league table with nine wins from 14 matches and crushing GT by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Under Rajat Patidar, they lean on aggression and clear roles, allowing senior and younger players to contribute confidently in a defined structure.

Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, stage a notable comeback campaign. GT collect 18 points from 14 league games to finish in the top two, then defeat Rajasthan Royals convincingly in Qualifier 2 to book another final in Ahmedabad. GT play their third match at a third venue in six days and arrive in Ahmedabad only on 30 May due to bad weather.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Differing batting approaches and home advantage

Throughout the season, GT favour measured building followed by late acceleration. Shubman Gill scores 722 runs, Sai Sudharsan 710, and Jos Buttler more than 500, forming a reliable top‑order core. Playing at home at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where GT have won five of seven matches this season, offers additional support from home fans.

RCB’s batting group, including Kohli, Patidar, Padikkal, Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer, commits to attacking from ball one. They aim to push opponents onto the back foot immediately and stick with this plan even under pressure. This mindset proves decisive during the final, as RCB pursue 156 with sustained intent and never allow GT’s bowlers to dictate terms.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Toss, teams and Impact substitutes in Ahmedabad

At the toss, Rajat Patidar chooses to chase. Patidar says, "We'll bowl first. It's a pretty good wicket. Don't think it'll change much. Lot of memories, last year. We have to do our best to win this match. It's important to be in the present. Let's control the controllables. Always love to play at this stadium. Same team."

Shubman Gill responds, "We would have batted first. Typical wicket, third match we are playing here. There could be some movement for the fast bowlers in the first three overs. One of the biggest stadiums in the world. We've got one change. Arshad (Khan) comes in for Sai (Kishore)." RCB then win the toss and opt to field first.

The playing XIs list GT with Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan and Mohammed Siraj. RCB field Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar.

Impact substitutes named by GT are Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra and Sai Kishore. RCB list Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh and Jordan Cox as their Impact options. Before the first ball, both teams line up for the national anthem of India as the packed crowd anticipates a high‑stakes contest.

RCB vs GT LIVE SCORE: Fastest fifties in IPL finals and key match data

During the chase, a statistic highlights the quickest fifties in IPL finals by balls faced. The list includes Suresh Raina (24 balls, CSK vs MI, Mumbai DYP, 2010), David Warner (24 balls, SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2016), Venkatesh Iyer (24 balls, KKR vs SRH, Chennai, 2024), Rohit Sharma (25 balls, MI vs CSK, Kolkata, 2015), Chris Gayle (25 balls, RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2016) and Virat Kohli (25 balls, RCB vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2026).

Key score progression points appear across both innings. GT move from 13/0 after the first over to 18/0 after the second, then 24/1 after the third and 30/2 after the fourth. They reach 39/2 after five overs and 45/2 at the end of the Powerplay, later standing at 55/3 after eight overs and 67/3 after 11.

GT’s rebuilding phase leaves them 73/3 after 12 overs, 83/4 after 13 and 99/4 after 14. Wickets and attacking strokes push the total to 105/5 after 15, 115/5 after 16, 121/6 after 17, 137/6 after 18 and 145/7 after 19, before closing on 155/8 after 20 overs, setting RCB 156 to win the 2026 title.

RCB’s reply begins with 5/0 after the first over from Mohammed Siraj, then 23/0 after Rabada’s first, which costs 18. Kohli attacks Siraj to take RCB to 36/0 after three and then 55/0 after four as 19 runs come off Kagiso Rabada’s second over. The score reaches 63/1 after five and 70/2 after six, approaching the halfway stage.

Rajat Patidar’s aggression pushes RCB to 81/2 after seven and 88/2 after eight. Rashid Khan’s double strike reduces them to 91/4 after nine. Kohli and Tim David rebuild to bring RCB to 100/4 after ten overs, then 109/4 after eleven and 116/4 after twelve. David’s dismissal leaves RCB 132/5 after fourteen with 24 required from 36 balls.

Jitesh Sharma’s boundary helps RCB to 139/5 after fifteen and 145/5 after sixteen, with only 11 needed from 24 deliveries. They then require 8 from 18 balls and complete the chase, confirming RCB as IPL 2026 champions and adding their name alongside Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders as multiple‑title winners.

RCB’s victory completes successful title defence, a feat previously achieved only by Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. They also continue the pattern of the winner of Qualifier 1 lifting the trophy, which has now occurred eight consecutive times. Gujarat Titans, champions in 2022 at the same venue, fall short despite Washington Sundar’s composed fifty and a disciplined season built on consistency.