Celebrations erupted across the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp after the franchise secured its second consecutive IPL title with a memorable victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final.
A video shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on social media captured the joyful scenes after the match. In the clip, Krunal Pandya was seen dancing with the IPL trophy to the energetic beats of dhols.
Soon after, star batter Virat Kohli joined the celebrations. Dressed casually in a t-shirt and shorts, Kohli danced alongside his teammates as the squad enjoyed another historic moment in franchise history.
RCB Become Only Third Team to Defend IPL Crown
With their five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, RCB successfully defended the IPL title they first won in 2025.
As a result, the Bengaluru-based franchise became only the third team in IPL history to win consecutive championships.
Teams to Win Back-to-Back IPL Titles
| Team | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 2010, 2011 |
| Mumbai Indians | 2019, 2020 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2025, 2026 |
Furthermore, RCB continued another remarkable IPL trend. The winner of Qualifier 1 has now gone on to win the IPL trophy in nine consecutive seasons.
Kohli Leads the Chase With Match-Winning Knock
While the celebrations grabbed attention afterward, Kohli’s brilliance with the bat laid the foundation for RCB’s success.
Chasing a target of 156 at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli produced a captain’s knock despite not leading the side officially.
The veteran batter remained unbeaten on 75 from just 42 deliveries, striking:
- 9 fours
- 3 sixes
Additionally, he reached his half-century in only 25 balls, making it the fastest IPL fifty of his career.
His innings also became his highest score in an IPL playoff match.
Kohli Continues Incredible Winning Streak
One remarkable statistic further highlighted Kohli’s importance to RCB.
The franchise has not lost a single IPL match since 2025 whenever Kohli has scored a half-century.
That streak continued in the final as he guided the chase with calmness and authority.
Consequently, Kohli was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Kohli Joins Elite IPL Final List
The award placed Kohli among the oldest players to win Player of the Match in an IPL final.
Oldest Players to Win Player of the Match in an IPL Final
| Player | Age |
|---|---|
| Anil Kumble (RCB, 2009) | 38 years, 219 days |
| Virat Kohli (RCB, 2026) | 37 years, 207 days |
| Faf du Plessis (CSK, 2021) | 37 years, 94 days |
| Shane Watson (CSK, 2018) | 36 years, 344 days |
Kohli Reflects on a Dream IPL Final
After the victory, Kohli admitted that he had imagined such a moment many times throughout his career.
Speaking after the match, he said winning the IPL and contributing to the chase felt like a dream come true.
According to Kohli, the team entered the final feeling relaxed and confident about its plans. That belief, he explained, helped the players remain calm during pressure situations.
He also revealed that while chasing, he felt completely in control and knew exactly how to approach the target.
RCB Move Closer to IPL’s Most Successful Franchises
With a second IPL trophy now secured, RCB have strengthened their position among the league’s most successful teams.
Most IPL Titles
| Team | Titles |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 5 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 5 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 3 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 |
Although they still trail Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, RCB’s back-to-back championships have firmly established them among the IPL’s elite franchises.