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The Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL Final Match Review is all about pressure, control, and big-match temperament. In a final where the Gujarat Titans needed their best batting performance, RCB’s bowlers kept them to 155/8, leaving a chase that Bengaluru handled with maturity.
Virat Kohli then produced the defining innings of the night, scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls as RCB reached 161/5 in 18 overs to win by five wickets and defend their IPL title. It was not just a chase; it was a statement performance built on discipline, experience, and calm decision-making.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final, chasing 156 with two overs to spare. RCB reached 161/5 in 18 overs, with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls.
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 155/8 | 20.0 | 7.75 | Lost by 5 wickets |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 161/5 | 18.0 | 8.94 | Won by 5 wickets |
GT never fully settled with the bat. Washington Sundar gave them something to defend, but the total lacked the finishing push needed in a final. RCB’s chase was calm from the start, helped by a strong opening stand and Kohli’s controlled acceleration.
Gujarat Titans’ innings never found the fluency needed for an IPL final. Batting first, GT reached 155/8 in 20 overs, but the total always looked slightly light once RCB’s bowlers controlled the early and middle phases.
The main issue for Gujarat was the lack of strong partnerships. Their top order could not build a platform, and that forced the middle order to rebuild instead of attack. Washington Sundar played the most important innings for GT, giving the scorecard some respectability, but he did not get enough support around him.
RCB’s bowlers deserve credit for keeping the pressure steady. Rasikh Salam Dar’s 3/27 stood out, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood also helped restrict Gujarat’s scoring options.
The biggest problem for GT was simple: 155 was defendable only with early wickets, and RCB’s strong start made that task much harder.
Chasing 156 in an IPL final is never as straightforward as it looks on paper. The pressure of the occasion can make even a modest target challenging. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru approached the chase with remarkable composure.
When finals are decided, experienced players often make the difference, and Virat Kohli once again proved why he remains one of the most reliable performers in big matches.
Key aspects of his innings:
Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Kohli paced the innings perfectly. His ability to absorb pressure and then shift gears ensured that the Gujarat Titans never gained control of the contest.
While Kohli was the standout performer, the supporting batters also played important roles. They contributed valuable runs, rotated the strike effectively, and avoided the collapse that Gujarat needed to trigger.
One of the most impressive aspects of RCB's chase was the manner in which they completed it. Reaching 161/5 in 18 overs meant they crossed the finish line with confidence rather than desperation. By maintaining a healthy scoring rate throughout the innings, RCB removed any possibility of a late-game squeeze from Gujarat's bowlers.
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Batter | Batting Performance | Best Bowler | Bowling Performance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 155/8 | 20.0 | Washington Sundar | 54 (38) | Rashid Khan | 1 Wicket | Lost by 5 Wickets |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 161/5 | 18.0 | Virat Kohli* | 75 (42) | Rasikh Salam Dar | 3/27 | Won by 5 Wickets |
RCB's success reflected a well-built squad featuring a balanced batting lineup, reliable bowling attack, and adaptable match strategies. Kohli's unbeaten 75 in the final highlighted his leadership, experience, and continued importance to the franchise, further strengthening his legendary IPL legacy.
Several players made important contributions, but a few performances stood above the rest and ultimately shaped the outcome of the IPL 2026 final.
Kohli's ability to control the tempo of the chase was arguably the biggest difference between the two teams.
Without Sundar's contribution, Gujarat could have been restricted to a much lower score.
His spell prevented Gujarat from building momentum during the innings.
Although several players influenced the final, Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 was the defining performance. In a high-pressure IPL final, he delivered exactly what RCB needed—stability, leadership, and a match-winning innings.
Every IPL final has a few moments that change the direction of the game. In this contest, several key events gradually shifted the advantage towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
GT struggled to build partnerships during the powerplay and middle overs. Instead of dominating with the bat, they were forced into recovery mode for much of the innings. This prevented them from setting the aggressive platform usually required in a championship match.
Washington Sundar played a valuable innings and helped GT reach a respectable total. However, the lack of significant contributions from the other end meant Gujarat could not capitalize on his effort.
A final total of 155 gave RCB a target they could approach methodically rather than aggressively.
One of the biggest differences between the teams was how they began their innings.
RCB's top order:
This early stability allowed the middle order to play with freedom later.
Finals are often won by players who understand the situation better than everyone else on the field.
Kohli:
His unbeaten 75 ensured that Gujarat never gained momentum during the chase.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru did not win the IPL final through a single moment of brilliance. Instead, they controlled the game through better execution across all phases.
RCB's bowlers understood the importance of restricting boundaries and forcing the Gujarat Titans to take risks. Key strengths of their bowling performance included:
Rather than chasing wickets aggressively, the bowlers focused on controlling the run rate, which eventually led to mistakes from GT's batters.
One of the biggest tactical differences between the two teams was how they approached their innings.
| Area | Gujarat Titans | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay Approach | Cautious and inconsistent | Positive and controlled |
| Partnership Building | Limited success | Regular partnerships |
| Pressure Handling | Lost momentum | Maintained composure |
| Finishing Strategy | Unable to accelerate fully | Finished comfortably |
RCB never allowed the required run rate to become a concern. This reduced pressure on the middle order and allowed Virat Kohli to play his natural game.
The final also highlighted the value of experience. RCB's senior players:
That composure was visible throughout the match and became a major reason behind their successful title defense.
RCB's victory was built on four key pillars:
The result was a professional final performance that left very little room for the Gujarat Titans to fight their way back into the contest.
Winning the IPL final strengthens RCB's reputation as one of the league's elite teams. More importantly, it creates a foundation for continued success. With experienced leaders, emerging talent, and a winning culture, Bengaluru will enter future seasons as one of the teams every opponent will be watching closely.
The Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL Final Match Review ultimately comes down to one word: control.
RCB controlled the game with disciplined bowling, smart field placements, and a composed batting performance led by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75. Gujarat Titans fought hard, with Washington Sundar producing a valuable innings, but their total of 155 never quite felt enough against a confident Bengaluru side.
The final was not decided by a dramatic collapse or a last-over thriller. Instead, it was won through superior execution, better partnerships, and the ability to handle pressure on cricket's biggest domestic stage.
For the Gujarat Titans, the defeat offers important lessons about building partnerships and maximizing key moments. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it marks another championship triumph and further strengthens their reputation as a team capable of delivering when it matters most.
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