First of all, congratulations to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for winning the IPL 2026 title against Gujarat Titans. Winning consecutive IPL trophies is a huge achievement, and RCB deserves full credit for handling the pressure in another final. Virat Kohli once again delivered on the big stage and helped RCB create history.
But as a cricket fan, this is my personal opinion: despite the result and some tense moments in the final overs, this was not one of the most entertaining IPL finals. In fact, compared to many classic IPL finals, this match felt slow and below expectations for long periods.
The excitement was mainly because the match went deep, not because of high-quality attacking cricket. Both teams looked nervous at different stages, and there were too many dot balls and cautious phases throughout the game.
Final Scorecard
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings
RCB – 160/5 (20 Overs)
- Virat Kohli – 75* (42)
- Rajat Patidar – 31
- Phil Salt – 22
- Tim David – 18*
Gujarat Titans Bowling
- Kagiso Rabada – 2 wickets
- Mohammed Siraj – 1 wicket
- Rashid Khan – economical spell
Gujarat Titans Innings
GT – 155/8 (20 Overs)
- Shubman Gill – 46
- Sai Sudharsan – 34
- Jos Buttler – 28
- Rahul Tewatia – 19
RCB Bowling
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 3 wickets
- Josh Hazlewood – 2 wickets
- Krunal Pandya – crucial middle-over spell
Match Result
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 was the biggest difference between the two teams. While other batters struggled to score freely, Kohli stayed calm and ensured RCB reached a fighting total. Later, the bowlers defended the target under pressure and completed another title-winning performance.
Why I Felt The Final Was Disappointing
The target was not massive, and Gujarat Titans had enough batting depth to chase it. However, the chase never looked fully convincing. The required run rate remained under control for most of the innings, yet GT kept losing momentum at important moments.
For an IPL final, fans usually expect explosive batting, fearless intent, and unforgettable partnerships. Instead, this match felt more about pressure and mistakes than domination and entertainment.
Fan Reactions
Every team has passionate supporters, and RCB fans absolutely deserve to celebrate after another title-winning season. They have supported the franchise through highs and lows for many years.
At the same time, some social media reactions became too aggressive, with unnecessary trolling and fan wars. This is not limited to one franchise because every big team has such sections of fans online. Cricket becomes more enjoyable when celebrations stay respectful and focus on the game itself.
Even though I personally found the match underwhelming as a final, the result cannot be ignored. RCB showed consistency throughout the season and once again proved why they were among the strongest teams in the tournament.
The match may not be remembered as an IPL classic, but it will definitely be remembered as another historic night for RCB and Virat Kohli.
Final Result: RCB 160/5 defeated GT 155/8 by 5 runs.
Congratulations to, Rajat Patidar, the entire RCB squad, and all RCB fans on winning the IPL 2026 trophy.
