Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the Gujarat Titans on Sunday to win the IPL 2026 championship [1, 2, 3].

This victory marks the first time the franchise has secured back-to-back titles, cementing a new era of dominance for the team after years of contention.

The final took place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat [1, 2]. The Gujarat Titans first batted and were restricted to a total of 155 runs [3]. This set a target of 156 runs for RCB to win the match [1].

Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a decisive performance. He scored 75 runs [2], providing the stability needed to overtake the Titans' total. The match concluded with Kohli hitting the winning runs to secure the trophy [1].

Reports on the team's leadership during the campaign vary. Some accounts said Virat Kohli led the team to glory [2], while other reports said Rajat Patidar led the side to the title [3]. Regardless of the captaincy, the result establishes RCB as a repeat champion.

The Gujarat Titans finished the tournament as runners-up, with Shubman Gill leading the side in the final attempt to stop the RCB streak [2]. The victory in Ahmedabad concludes a season where RCB transitioned from a challenger to an inevitable force in the league [3].

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the Gujarat Titans on Sunday to win the IPL 2026 championship

By securing two consecutive titles, RCB has shifted the power dynamics of the IPL. The ability to defend a championship suggests a sustainable winning culture and tactical maturity, moving the franchise beyond its historical reputation for inconsistency.