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Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted another memorable chapter in their IPL journey as they successfully defended their title by defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. The victory handed RCB their second consecutive championship and placed them alongside elite franchises that have managed to win back-to-back IPL crowns.
At the heart of the triumph was RCB stalwart and batting icon Virat Kohli, who produced a match-winning unbeaten 75 off just 42 deliveries. His innings not only guided Bengaluru through a chase of 156 but also featured the fastest fifty of his IPL career, helping his side cross the finish line with two overs to spare.
Virat Kohli fulfils a long-held dream in the IPL 2026 final
With only one run required for victory, Kohli ensured there would be no suspense. Facing Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan in the 18th over, the former RCB captain launched the ball straight over the boundary ropes for a six to seal the title in style. The moment triggered wild celebrations as teammates rushed onto the field while Kohli pointed towards the stands, soaking in the atmosphere of another historic night for the franchise. It was a fitting finish for a player who has dedicated nearly two decades to RCB and has been central to the team’s success.
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Kohli admitted that hitting the winning runs in an IPL final was a scenario he had imagined countless times throughout his career.
“It’s the stuff that you dream of. I’ve thought of this moment many times, that, you know, once when we win the IPL, I should be standing there hitting the winning runs and tonight it was possible. So yeah, just a dream day for us,” said Kohli at post-match presentation.
Here’s the video:
Manifested. Delivered. 🤌👑
Year on year we see the chase master, #ViratKohli, reinvent himself on the biggest stage of them all! 🔥#TATAIPL 2026 Final pic.twitter.com/fJhIqNYAMP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 31, 2026
Fastest IPL fifty adds another milestone
Kohli’s unbeaten knock was remarkable not only because of its importance but also because of its pace. The veteran batter reached his half-century in just 25 balls, registering the fastest fifty of his IPL career. The landmark surpassed his previous best of 26-ball fifties, a feat he had achieved twice during the 2018 season. It also placed him among the quickest fifty-makers in IPL final history, with the innings matching the records set by players such as Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle in previous title clashes.
Despite producing one of the finest innings of his IPL career, Kohli insisted that personal milestones were not on his mind. Instead, he highlighted how the modern game and the emergence of fearless young cricketers continue to push him to improve. According to Kohli, the new generation has raised the standards of T20 batting, forcing experienced players to constantly adapt and refine their skills. He explained that he takes pride in evolving his game and finding new areas for improvement, adding that the challenge of keeping pace with younger players remains one of his biggest motivations.
“I mean, such is 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 up the ante. And it’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work towards. And yeah, I just take a lot of pride in getting better and just trying to figure out areas where I can improve,” added Kohli.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
