Match: IPL 2026 Final
Date: May 31, 2026
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
The IPL 2026 season reached its crescendo on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru squared off against Gujarat Titans in a highly anticipated final. With history on the line, RCB delivered a masterclass in both bowling and batting to retain the IPL title becoming only the third franchise ever to win back to back IPL championships. Virat Kohli, at the heart of it all, produced the defining knock of the season when his team needed him most.
RCB vs Gujarat Titans IPL Final Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | IPL 2026 Final |
| Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Toss Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| GT Score | 155/8 in 20 overs |
| RCB Score | 161/5 in 18 overs |
| Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Virat Kohli (75* off 42 balls) |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the final as defending champions and the league-phase toppers, finishing the group stage with 9 wins, 4 losses, and 18 points. Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, had home ground advantage and the backing of a packed Ahmedabad crowd but RCB’s clinical performance left no room for doubt.
Road to the IPL Final
RCB’s Journey
RCB’s path to a second consecutive final was one of dominance. They topped the points table and entered Qualifier 1 with momentum and confidence.
- Group Stage: 9 wins, 4 losses league toppers with 18 points
- Qualifier 1 vs GT: RCB posted the highest team total in IPL playoff history a staggering 254/5
- powered by Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93 off 33 balls. GT were bowled out for 162. RCB won by 92 runs.
Gujarat Titans’ Journey
GT, despite losing to RCB in Qualifier 1, bounced back through Qualifier 2 with a remarkable chase against Rajasthan Royals pulling off what was described as the highest successful chase in IPL playoff history to book their place in the final.This league occupy first position in top 15 richest cricket leagues in the world.
- Home advantage: Final played at Narendra Modi Stadium, GT’s home ground
- Key weapons: Kagiso Rabada (Purple Cap winner), Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and the in-form top order of Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler
Toss Result and Team Lineups
Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field first.
RCB Playing XI
Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar
Impact Players: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox
Gujarat Titans Playing XI
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Nishant Sindhu, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
RCB Innings Highlights
Chasing 156, RCB came out firing. Venkatesh Iyer (Impact Player) replaced an opener and immediately put pressure on the GT bowlers.
Key moments in RCB’s chase:
- Over 1–4: Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer blazed to a 62-run opening partnership, reaching the team fifty in just 3.3 overs the fastest team fifty in IPL final history, surpassing CSK’s previous record of four overs (against the same opponent, at the same venue).
- Over 5: Mohammed Siraj dismissed Venkatesh Iyer for a blistering 32 off 16 balls.
- Over 6: Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal (1 off 4) in his very next over to secure the Purple Cap for IPL 2026.
- Over 9: Rashid Khan turned the match on its head, dismissing both Rajat Patidar (15 off 13) and Krunal Pandya (1 off 2) in four balls. RCB were reduced to 91/4 suddenly, the chase was alive again.
- Over 10–17: Kohli, the ice-cool veteran, anchored the innings. He reached his half-century off just 25 balls his fastest IPL fifty ever. Tim David joined him and the pair added 41 runs for the fifth wicket before Arshad Khan removed David for 24.
- Over 18, Final Ball: Kohli sealed the title with a six over long-on, finishing unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes).
RCB Chase Summary:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli* | 75 | 42 | 9 | 3 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 |
| Rajat Patidar | 15 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Tim David | 24 | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| Others | 15 | — | — | — |
RCB Bowling vs GT:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasikh Salam | 4 | 27 | 3 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 28 | 1 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 29 | 2 |
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 32 | 1 |
Gujarat Titans Innings Highlights
Batting first on a good surface at home, Gujarat Titans expected their powerful top order to post a competitive total. It didn’t go according to plan.
Key developments in GT’s innings:
- Over 1–3 (Powerplay Struggles): Sai Sudharsan (12) was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar after surviving a DRS scare early the umpire initially ruled him out caught behind in the first over, only for the decision to be reversed on review. Shubman Gill was caught by Rajat Patidar off Josh Hazlewood for just 10 in the third over.
- Middle Overs: Nishant Sindhu (20 off 18) and Jos Buttler tried to steady the innings, but both fell before the innings could accelerate. Buttler was brilliantly stumped by Jitesh Sharma off Krunal Pandya’s bowling one of the moments of the final. At 73/4 after 12 overs, GT were in serious trouble.
- Late Recovery: Rashid Khan chipped in with 7 useful runs, but it was Washington Sundar who fought hardest, scoring a composed and invaluable 50 not out off 37 balls to haul GT to a competitive if below-par 155/8.
GT Batting Summary:
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 10 | 9 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 12 | 14 |
| Nishant Sindhu | 20 | 18 |
| Jos Buttler | — | — |
| Washington Sundar* | 50 | 37 |
Top Performers of the Match
With the Bat
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 75* off 42 balls highest playoff score of his IPL career and his fastest IPL fifty (25 balls). The defining innings of IPL 2026.
- Venkatesh Iyer (RCB): 32 off 16 balls a rocket-fuelled start that set the platform for the entire chase.
- Washington Sundar (GT): 50* off 37 balls a lone-fighter knock that gave GT a fighting chance.
With the Ball
- Rasikh Salam (RCB): 3/27 in 4 overs the pick of RCB’s bowlers, dismantling the GT middle order.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB): 2/29 in 4 overs veteran experience on the big stage.
- Rashid Khan (GT): 2/25 in 4 overs the legspinner’s double blow nearly turned the tide.
Key Turning Points
Three moments defined the outcome of the IPL 2026 final:
- Shubman Gill’s early dismissal (Over 3): The GT captain falling for 10 to Hazlewood was a psychological blow. GT never recovered from the top-order collapse.
- Buttler’s stumping (Over 12): Jitesh Sharma’s razor-sharp glovework off Krunal Pandya removed the dangerous Englishman at a crucial juncture the moment GT’s innings unravelled completely.
- Rashid Khan’s double strike (Over 9 of chase): With RCB at 91/4, the Afghan spinner made it a contest. But Kohli’s composure under pressure ultimately proved unshakeable.
Full Scorecard and Match Statistics
Gujarat Titans: 155/8 in 20 overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (c) | c Patidar b Hazlewood | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 111.1 |
| Sai Sudharsan | b Bhuvneshwar | 12 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85.7 |
| Nishant Sindhu | b Rasikh Salam | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 111.1 |
| Jos Buttler (wk) | st Jitesh b Krunal | — | — | — | — | — |
| Washington Sundar* | not out | 50 | 37 | 4 | 2 | 135.1 |
| Rashid Khan | b Rasikh Salam | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 233.3 |
| Extras | — | 15+ | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 155/8 | 20 overs |
Bowling:
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasikh Salam | 4 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 6.75 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 9.75 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 161/5 in 18 overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli* | not out | 75 | 42 | 9 | 3 | 178.6 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | b Siraj | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 200.0 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | b Rabada | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.0 |
| Rajat Patidar (c) | b Rashid | 15 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 115.4 |
| Krunal Pandya | b Rashid | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| Tim David | b Arshad | 24 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 141.2 |
| Total | 161/5 | 18 overs |
Bowling:
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.5 |
| Arshad Khan | 4 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
Player of the Match
Virat Kohli was unanimously named the Player of the Match for his match-winning, unbeaten 75 off 42 balls.
When RCB slipped to 91/4 with Rashid Khan threatening to tear the chase apart, it was Kohli who steadied the ship. He brought up his fifty in just 25 deliveries the fastest half-century of his entire IPL career. His innings featured nine boundaries and three sixes, and he finished the job in style with a six over long-on off the final ball of the 18th over.
In what was a landmark season, Kohli was central to RCB’s title defence from the group stage through to the final a performance befitting one of the greatest T20 cricketers of all time.This league also compete with big bash league and MLC.
Records Broken in the IPL Final
The IPL 2026 final was a night of history. Here’s a look at the key records shattered:
- Third team to win back-to-back IPL titles: RCB joined Chennai Super Kings (2010–11) and Mumbai Indians (2019–20) as the only franchises to successfully defend the IPL crown.
- Fastest team fifty in an IPL final: RCB reached 50 in just 3.3 overs in the chase, surpassing CSK’s previous record of four overs set at the same venue, against the same opponents.
- Fastest IPL fifty by Virat Kohli: His 25-ball half-century in the final surpassed his previous best pace in the competition.
- Kohli’s highest playoff score: The 75* became his best score in IPL knockout/playoff fixtures, a milestone on the grandest stage possible.
- RCB’s fourth-most successful franchise: With two IPL titles, RCB moved level with Kolkata Knight Riders in the all-time winners list, sitting behind CSK (5), MI (5), and KKR (3).
- GT’s second final loss in four years: Having also lost the 2023 final at the same Ahmedabad venue to CSK, GT remain on a single IPL title (2022).
- Kagiso Rabada — Purple Cap 2026: His wicket of Devdutt Padikkal confirmed his status as IPL 2026’s leading wicket-taker.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The final sparked an explosion of celebration and conversation across social media, with “Virat Kohli”, “RCB Champions”, and “IPL 2026 Final” all trending globally on X (formerly Twitter) within minutes of the match ending.
RCB fans, long used to heartbreak in the competition’s early years, were in disbelief at witnessing back-to-back titles. Clips of Kohli’s match-winning six circulated widely, with fans calling it the greatest IPL final innings in recent memory. On the other side, Gujarat Titans supporters pointed to Gill and Sudharsan’s early dismissals as the turning point, with many questioning the approach of the top order.
The closing ceremony featuring playback singer Kailash Kher performing for the packed Ahmedabad crowd added a festive and celebratory note to an already electric night.Top 12 richest cricketer in the world also participate in this league.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 Final was a fitting end to a spectacular season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered when it mattered most: disciplined bowling kept Gujarat Titans to 155, and Virat Kohli at his imperious best guided the chase with a masterful, unbeaten 75 to complete a five-wicket win with 12 balls to spare.
For RCB, it was redemption, legacy, and history all wrapped into one unforgettable evening in Ahmedabad. For Gujarat Titans, it is another final defeat to learn from. For cricket fans everywhere, it was a final worthy of the IPL’s grandest stage.
RCB stand alone as back-to-back champions of the Indian Premier League. The era of the red-and-gold continues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the IPL 2026 Final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the IPL 2026 Final, beating Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets with 12 balls to spare at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
What was the final score in RCB vs GT IPL 2026?
GT scored 155/8 in 20 overs; RCB chased it down to 161/5 in 18 overs.
Who was the Player of the Match in the IPL 2026 Final?
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls that guided RCB to the title.
Did RCB win back-to-back IPL titles?
Yes. RCB became only the third team in IPL history to win consecutive titles, after CSK (2010–11) and MI (2019–20).
Who top-scored for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Final?
Washington Sundar top-scored for GT with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls after the rest of the batting line-up struggled.
What records did Virat Kohli break in the IPL 2026 Final?
Kohli hit his fastest-ever IPL fifty (25 balls) and recorded his highest score in IPL playoff/knockout cricket (75*).
Who won the toss in the IPL 2026 Final?
RCB won the toss and elected to field first — a decision that proved pivotal in restricting GT to 155.
Who took the most wickets for RCB in the IPL 2026 Final?
Rasikh Salam Dar was RCB’s leading wicket-taker, finishing with 3/27 in 4 overs to dismantle the GT middle order.