Virat Kohli’s masterclass final run-chase ended with an unbridled, aggressive celebration as he roared, pumped his fists, and smiled from ear to ear after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to back-to-back
IPL titles. Chasing 156 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli conquered an early flurry of wickets and a painful physical injury to anchor the chase with an undefeated 75 off just 42 deliveries.
The moment the winning runs were hit, Kohli's signature fiery, competitive persona instantly took over. Unlike the overwhelmed, tearful breakdown seen during RCB’s historic first-ever title victory, this reaction was pure dominance. He locked eyes with his dugout, let out an emphatic roar, and punched the air with complete satisfaction. In the latter half of the innings, Kohli suffered an intense leg cramp/injury that severely restricted his free movement and running between the wickets.
Cameras caught him grimacing in pain and stretching, but his face remained intensely locked-in, refusing to leave the field until the job was completely done.Virat Kohli finished off the match in style by lofting a massive straight six over long-on off Arshad Khan’s final delivery in the 18th over. This signature winning shot sealed a dominant 5-wicket victory for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Gujarat Titans (GT), crowning them IPL 2026 champions.
Kohli picked up three quick singles alongside Jitesh Sharma over the first four balls. On the fifth ball, Kohli pulled a short delivery hard between mid-on and midwicket to find the boundary for a four. Needing just 1 run to win, Kohli decided to clear the ropes rather than take a single. He stepped out, caught the full delivery cleanly on the middle of his bat, and launched it high over the bowler's head into the packed crowds at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Last year Virat Kohli was in tears all throughout the 20th over & this time not a single tear & this was his reaction on winning the trophy with a six. This is what happens when pressure off winning 1st trophy is there no more. Now many more trophies for RCB is coming❤️ pic.twitter.com/AXbBuLhN5J
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 31, 2026
VIRAT KOHLI FINISHES OFF IN STYLE. 😍🔥 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ❌ ATTACKING CHAMPIONS ✅ - Back to back IPL trophies for RCB 🏆🥶#RCBvsGT #ViratKohli #IPLFinal pic.twitter.com/6EQEArjyEc
— Lakshay Mehta (@lakshaymehta08) May 31, 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are Champions of IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cemented their era of absolute dominance by lifting the IPL 2026 trophy, securing a magnificent 5-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. This victory seals back-to-back championships for the franchise, forever erasing years of "ee sala cup namde" heartbreak and establishing RCB as a modern cricket dynasty. RCB’s road to the 2026 title was carved out by a clinical, highly disciplined bowling performance that completely choked the Gujarat Titans' powerful batting lineup, restricting them to a sub-par 155/8. Young speedster Rasikh Salam Dar rose to the grand occasion, finishing as the destroyer-in-chief with a brilliant 3-wicket haul that ripped through the GT middle-order.
This half-century in the IPL final is equivalent to a double century. very good king 👑 Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/xWFqukNgt4
— RAMGOPAL DHAKA 29 (@Ramgopal029) May 31, 2026
Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early striking lethal blows alongside Josh Hazlewood. This performance officially secured Bhuvneshwar the 2026 Purple Cap with 28 tournament wickets. All-rounder Krunal Pandya delivered the ball of the match, a spectacular delivery that completely deceived and cleaned up the dangerous Jos Buttler, triggering a wave of praise from Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli played an innings for the history books. Defying severe, painful physical leg cramps, he blazed his way to a 25-ball half-century, the fastest of his entire IPL career before finishing unbeaten on 75*.
