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ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU ARE IPL 2026 CHAMPIONS!

Sun, 31 May 2026

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23:39

RCB beat GT by 5 wickets to claim back-to-back IPL titles

RCB 161-5 (18 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Virat Kohli anchored the chase with 75 not out as Royal Challengers Bengaluru proved their class in all departments to clinch a second consecutive Indian Premier League title victory, with a 5-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Kohli scored 75 not out off 42 balls with nine fours and three sixes as he hit his fastest IPL fifty (25 balls) as RCB chased down an under-par 156-run target, reaching 161 for five in 18 overs.

Rasikh Salam Dar claimed 3/27 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets apiece as a top-heavy Titans were restricted to 155 for eight in the first half.

RCB then rode on a 62-run opening stand between Venkatesh Iyer (32) and Kohli, who stood tall in the end with a match-winning six.

Earlier, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a superb all-round bowling performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8.

A top-heavy GT lost their in-form batters inside the powerplay and questionable rejigging of the batting line-up saw the 2022 winners losing the plot completely.

Washington Sundar top-scored with for the Titans with 50 not out but none of their batters could impose themselves on the game.

Arshad continues and Jitesh plays the ball to third man for a single but the bowler falls on his run up and gets checked on by the physio.

Arshad is good to continue and Kohli guides the ball to third man for a single.

6 runs needed and Jites moves across the stumps, Arshad bowls it full and on his pads for a dot.

Jitesh then edges the ball past the keeper to third man for a single.

5 needed now and Kohli pulls the ball to mid-wicket for a four.

One needed now and Kohli finishes it in style with a six as RCB WIN IPL 2026.

Rashid back in the attack and gives just three runs in the over.

23:18

Kohli dropped by Gill

RCB 145-5 (16 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Arshad continues and after a dot, Kohli pulls the ball to fine leg for a four!

Kohli then takes a single to cover-point.

A dot later, Jitesh punches the ball down the ground for a single.

Kohli then chips the ball to mid-off a as Gill dives forward to take a low catch. Kohli refuses to walk after Gill says he was not sure. The umpires review the catch and replays show the ball is touching the ground and the third umpire says not out after multiple replays. Kohli survives as 6 runs come off the over.

Jitesh Sharma is the new man in.

Prasidh Krishna in the attack now and Kohli starts the over with a single.

A dot later, Jitesh gets off the mark with a shot through covers for a four.

A dot later, Jitesh takes a single.

A dot to end the over as 7 come off it.

23:07

Arshad removes David with RCB needing 24 off 36 balls

RCB 132-5 (14 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

30 needed off the last 7 overs as Arshad continues and David starts the over with a single to deep point.

A dot later, Kohli punches the ball down the ground for a single to long-off.

David then slaps the ball uppishly through extra cover for a four!

A dot later, Arshad reckons David has got the outside edge as he is caught behind. David looks to play the short ball through the off side. Not out says the umpire. GT review and they are spot on as the Ultra Edge shows a spike on David's outside edge and he is out for 24. A wicket and 6 runs come off it.

After the physio tends to Kohli who is hobbling, Rashid continues and Kohli starts the over with a single.

A dot later, David smashes the ball over long on for a six!

David and Kohli then take three singles to end the over as 10 come off it. Kohli winces and hobbles as he takes that single off the penultimate ball of the over.

22:55

His fastest 50 (off 25 balls) in IPL

RCB 116-4 (12 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Left arm seamer Arshad Khan is in the attack now and after a dot, he brings up his 50 off 25 balls, his fastest half-ton, his 68th in the IPL, with a four past Holder at short mid-wicket.

Kohli and David then take a single each off the next two balls.

A dot later, Kohli taps the ball to backward point and scampers for a single as 7 runs come off it.

Rashid continues and Kohli plays the ball to deep cover for a couple. A direct hit at the bowler's end but David is way in the crease. Third umpire called in to check the run out and David is safe.

Kohli then takes a single.

A dot later, David takes a couple as he cuts it through to deep point.

David gets some hydration in.

A dot later, the short ball is cut past backward point for a four as 9 runs come off it.

22:44

Patidar, Krunal out

RCB 100-4 (10 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Holder continues and he starts with one on the pads of Kohli who thanks him with a flick to fine leg for a four.

A dot later, Kohli takes a single to mid-off.

Short and wide ball and David pulls it down the ground for a four to bring up RCB's 100.

A dot to end the over as 9 come off it.

Tim David is the new man in and he plays out a dot as two wickets and 3 runs come off it.

Krunal Pandya comes out to bat now and he is off the mark with a single to long-off.

Short ball and Kohli pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full ball next, Krunal looks to sweep, misses it and the ball hits his back leg right in front of the stumps, big shout for LBW. Umpire raises the finger, RCB don't review and he is out for 1.

Rashid Khan in the attack now and Kohli starts the over with a single.

Patidar then looks to slog the ball over long on only to have Rabada settle under it and the RCB captain is out for 15 off 13.

22:31

Kohli, Patidar keep scoreboard ticking

RCB 88-2 (8 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

RCB looking good to win this title match on a canter.

Jason Holder is in the attack now and Kohli and Patidar take a single each off the first two balls.

A dot later, Kohli drives the ball to long on for a single.

Patidar then slices the ball to backward point for a dot.

Short ball and Patidar rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a four! 7 come off the over.

Siraj continues and Patidar starts the over with a six as they pull the ball over deep backward square leg.

A dot later, Patidar and Kohli take a single each off the next two balls.

Patidar then takes a couple wide off mid-wicket.

A wide later, a dot to end the over as 11 come off it.

22:20

RCB start strongly in Powerplay

RCB 70-2 (6 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Rajat Patidar is the new man in and is beaten first ball.

Two dots later, Patidar is off the mark with a single on the on side.

Kohli then ends the over with a six off the top edge to fine leg as a wicket and 7 runs come off it.

Rabada continues, fuller ball, Padikkal makes room and tries to carve it over backward point but Prasidh Krishna completes a good sliding catch in the deep and Padikkal falls cheaply.

Devdutt Padikkal is the new man in and he starts with two dots.

Padikkal then slices the ball down to deep backward point to get off the mark with a single as a wicket and 8 runs come off it.

Siraj continues and Kohli starts the over with a single.

Short bouncer next, Venky backs away and swivel pulls it hard over deep backward square leg for a six over Sudharsan in the deep.

Venky then plays across the line and is rushed on the pull and he plays it straight to the mid-on fielder. He is out for 32 off 16 and RCB lose the first wicket.

22:07

50 up for RCB in no time

RCB 55-0 (4 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Rabada continues and he strays down the leg side and Kohli flicks it to deep backward square leg for a four.

Kohli then gets a four to mid-wicket.

Kohli then flicks his wrist and the ball flies over deep mid-wicket for a six to bring up the 50-run stand.

Short ball next and Kohli pulls it to deep square leg for another four.

Kohli then misses out as he pulls it to the leg side only for a single. Kohli shows his frustration in missing out.

Venky then misses a big shot as the ball comes off his arm and falls close to the stumps. 19 come off the over.

Siraj continues and he starts with a poor ball as he strays on the pads and Kohli just clips it to backward square leg for a four!

Kohli is then beaten as he comes down the track and looks to pull.

Short bouncer next but Kohli is in control of the shot as he pulls it down to mid-wicket for a four!

Kohli then takes a quick single to mid-on.

Short bouncer next and Venky mistimes the pull but the ball manages to roll to the deep mid-wicket boundary for a four.

Venky is then beaten next ball as he looks to hack at good length ball and 13 come off the over.

21:56

Gujarat Titans set RCB 156 for victory

RCB 23-0 (2 ovs) vs GT 155-8 | Scoreboard

Rabada opens at the other end and Venky uses the pace of the ball and lifts the ball over cover point for a four!

Short ball and Venky is beaten on the outside edge.

Venky then flicks the ball over deep mid-wicket for a six!

Venky then makes room and slaps the ball over mid-off for a four!

Venky is then beaten on the outside edge next.

Venky then throws the kitchen sink at at the good length ball and the ball flies over the keeper off the edge for a four as 18 come off it.

RCB's Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer come out to chase 156 for a title triumph while Mohammed Siraj will open the attack for GT hoping to make an early impact.

Prasidh Krishna is the Impact Sub for Rahul Tewatia and Siraj will start proceedings with Venky on strike and the batter is off the mark with a single off the first ball down the order.

Siraj then bowls on the pads and Kohli gets a single off a leg bye.

Siraj then sees Venky stepping across and bowls it full as Venky misses the scoop. Lucky for him it went just wide off the leg stump.

A dot later, Venky flicks the ball off his pads for a couple to backward square leg.

Venky then calls out the physio as he seems to have injured himself.

He then flicks the ball to mid-wicket for a single and takes a single and looks in pain as he completes the single.

21:27

Sundar hits 37-ball 50; Bhuvi takes 2 wickets

GT 155-8 (20 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a superb all-round bowling performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

A top-heavy GT lost their in-form batters inside the powerplay and questionable rejigging of the batting line-up saw the 2022 winners losing the plot completely.

Washington Sundar top-scored with for the Titans with 50 not out but none of their batters could impose themselves on the game.

Rasikh Salam returned 4-0-27-3 while senior RCB pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) chipped in with a couple of wickets apiece.

Rabada is the new man in and he starts with a drive straight towards the bowler for a dot.

Rabada then takes a single to the off side as he squeezes out the yorker.

Sundar then brings up his 50 with a single to point.

A couple to end the over to long on as GT finish with 155 for 8.

Rasikh is back in the attack and he starts with a short ball outside off stump and Rashid drives it hard over long on for a six!

Short bouncer, quicker. Rashid goes for the pull and mistimes it only to be caught at backward point and he is out for 7.

Rashid Khan is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

A dot later, Sundar takes a couple to deep point to end the over as a wicket and 8 come off it.

Bhuvi is back in the attack, he bowls back of length on the off stump and Sundar pulls it through mid-wicket for a four to start the over.

Sundar then takes a single to long-off.

Short ball bouncer next, Holder goes for the pull, gets a top-edge and the ball flies towards third man as Hazlewood runs back to take the catch and Holder is out for 7.

21:10

Tewatia is caught out cheaply

GT 137-6 (18 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Hazlewood is back in the attack and the short ball on the leg side is Sundar helps it on it's way with a one-handed shot.

Sundar and Holder then take a single each off the next two balls.

Full and on the pads next and Sundar flicks it past mid-wicket for a four as the fielders fail to reach on time.

Wide given next and RCB review the wide and lose the review as the call stays.

Sundar the flicks the ball down to deep square leg for a single.

Holder then lofts the next ball straight down the ground for a four as 16 come off it.

Jason Holder is the new man in and is off the mark with a single to long on.

Sundar then whips the ball to the leg side and takes a single.

Holder then takes a single to the off-side.

Sundar then clips the ball to square leg and takes a couple.

Sundar then gets a single off the last ball of the over as a wicket and 6 runs come off it.

Rasikh Dar is back in the attack and he strikes first ball. He comes around the wicket, bowls a slower bouncer to Tewatia who mistimes the shot across the line and is caught by Patidar who runs back from mid-on and Tewatia is out for 7.

20:56

Hazlewood removes Arshad

GT 115-5 (16 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Bhuvneshwar is back in the attack and he starts with a short ball across the batter and Sundar lets it go.

Short ball and Sundar pulls it down to mid-wicket for a couple.

Sundar then punches the ball to sweeper cover for a couple.

Sundar then drives the ball to long-off for a single.

Tewatia then spots the short bouncer and upper cuts it over the keeper for a four!

Tewatia then drives the ball to long on for a single as 10 runs come off it.

The onus is now on Washington Sundar if GT are to put a decent total on the board.

Rahul Tewatia is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Sundar then gets a couple past mid-off.

Sundar then takes a single to backward point.

Short bouncer again and Tewatia pulls it to backward square leg for a single.

Sundar gets a single to the leg side to end the over as a wicket and 6 runs come off it.

RCB bring out their Impact Sub as Venkatesh Iyer replaces Jacob Duffy.

Hazlewood is back in the attack and he starts with a hard length ball that climbs on to Arshad who is cramped for room on the pull and he is caught off the top edge at short fine and he is out for 15 off 6.

20:44

Krunal removes Buttler

GT 99-4 (14 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Duffy continues and Sudar starts the over with back-to-back fours as he first pulls the ball to mid-wicket for a four, he then gets a thick edge that flies past Jitesh for a four.

A single later, Arshad takes to the attack as he hammers a six. A single and and a dot to end the over as 16 come off it.

Arshad Khan is the new man in, and he is off the mark with a single.

Sundar then takes a single before Arshad hammers the slot ball into the stands for a six over mid-wicket!

Arshad and Sundar take a single each as a wicket and 10 runs come off it.

Krunal continues and he strikes off the first ball of his 4th over. He bowls it wide as Buttler comes down the track, misses it completely and Jitesh does well to take the ball and break the stumps in time. Buttler out for 19.

20:33

Duffy, Krunal give away next to nothing

GT 73-3 (12 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Big runs are drying up for GT as RCB bowlers keep it tight.

Duffy continues and persists with short length deliveries as Sundar and Buttler only manage 6 singles in the over.

Krunal continues and again he produces a wonderful over to concede just four runs.

20:28

Sundar survives a dropped catch and GT in a spot of bother as 3rd wicket goes down

GT 63-3 (10 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Duffy is back in the attack and after a dot, a good length ball on the pads is flicked to the leg side by Sundar for a single,

Buttler and Sundar then take three singles as Duffy employs the short ball.

Another short ball on the leg stump, Sundar tries to pull only mistime it and is caught out but the umpires are checking to see how cleanly the catch was taken. Replays show that ball had touched the grass as Cox tried to grab the ball. Sundar survives and 4 singles come in the over.

Time for strategic time-out and RCB have GT in a noose early in this duel.

GT will have to counter RCB pacers and their short balls and bumpers to get to a decent total.

Washington Sundar is the new man in.

Krunal continues and four singles come in the over.

Rasikh continues and Sindhu flicks the first ball uppishly to long on for a single.

Buttler then mistimes the pull and the edge carries the ball to mid-wicket and he gets a single.

Sindhu then pulls the ball to deep mid-wicket, Tim David does well to slide and keep it down to a couple.

A dot later, Rasikh strikes as Sindhu goes for the big shot only to be caught in the deep by Padikkal and he is out for 20 and GT lose their 3rd wicket. A wicket and 5 runs come off it.

Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya is in the attack now and the batters take 5 singles in the over.

20:08

Sidhu, Buttler lead GT counter

GT 45-2 (6 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Right arm medium pacer Rasikh Dar is in the attack now and after two dots, Sidhu cuts the ball to deep point for a single.

Buttler then drives the full ball down to mid-on for a single.

Down the leg side next and Sidhu swivel pulls the ball to fine leg for a four!

A dot to end the over as 6 come off it.

Hazlewood continues and after a dot, the short ball and slightly wide ball is slapped past cover-point for a four.

Back-to-back-fours here as Bhuvi misfields to allow the ball to run to the third man boundary.

A single and two dots to end the over as 9 come off it.

19:59

Gill, Sai Sudharsan back in the hut inside the Powerplay

GT 30-2 (4 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Buttler is the new man in and after a dot, he is off the mark with a four as he glances the leg side ball to fine leg as a wicket and 6 runs come off it.

Bhuvi continues and he starts with a short ball on the off stump, Sai flicks it to deep mid for a couple.

Sai is nearly hit wicket next as he nearly loses the grip of his bat.

A dot later, Bhuvi persists with the short ball and bowls a bouncer this time, Sai is taken by surprise and mistimes the pull and the top edge is taken by Jitesh Sharma who runs down to fine leg and he is out for 12 off 12.

Left-arm batter Nishant Sindhu is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single to the off side.

Hard length ball next, Sai goes to pull and the mis hit nearly lands in Hazlewood's hands.

Sai then takes a single to the leg side.

A dot to end the over as a wicket and 6 runs come off it.

Hazlewood is in the attack now as the first change bowler and Gill pulls the ball through mid-wicket for a four!

Gill then plays the ball across the line, gets a top edge and is caught by Patidar as he runs to his right from mid-off. Gill is out for 10 off 8.

19:43

Gill starts handsomely

GT 18-0 (2 ovs) vs RCB | Scoreboard

Bhuvneshwar opens at the other end and he starts with a wobble seam and it's a dot.

Gill is beaten next ball on the outside edge off a short ball that nips back in.

Gill then takes a step out and creams the ball through covers for a four to get his first boundary!

A dot later, Gill slashes the ball down to backward point for a single

A dot to end the over as 5 runs come off it.

Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill come out to open the batting for Gujarat Titans while Jacob Duffy will open the bowling for Rajasthan Royals.

Duffy gets a hint of swing as he bowls a fuller ball to Sai who plays the ball to mid-wicket for a dot.

Swing again for Duffy as Sai plays it to mid-off for a dot.

On the pads next and Sai just tucks it down to fine leg for a four to get off the mark.

Half-volley next and Sai plays it through the line as he creams it through covers for another four!

Short bouncer next, Sai looks to pull, and is caught behind. Big appeal for caught behind. Umpire raises the finger. Sai reviews.

Ultra Edge shows there was no nick and Sai survives. Decision overturned. Wide called for height.

Wide down the leg side next.

Sai then plays the ball to backward point for a single.

Duffy losing his way here as he bowls another wide down the leg side.

Gill then clips the ball off his pads for a single as 13 come off it.

19:12

RCB's explosive batting faces GT's formidable bowling attack as both teams aim for their second title

Royals Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar has won the toss and elected to bowl against Gujarat Titans in the IPL Final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Patidar said the team is going unchanged into the final while GT skipper Shubman Gill said that he wanted to bat first. His team will go into the final with one change as pacer Arshad Khan comes in for Sai Kishore.

Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 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

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj

Impact Substitutes

Gujarat Titans: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Sai Kishore

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Venkatesh Iyer, Kanishk Chohan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox

Welcome to the updates from the IPL 2026 Final between Gujarat Titans and Royals Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad.

As always, the pitch is expected to be good for batting but a touch slower but it is bound to get better as the evening progresses. There will be help for the seamers and the team that wins the toss will prefer to bowl first.

In a fascinating battle of ideologies, the well-balanced and bold Royal Challengers Bengaluru will have to subdue a phlegmatic Gujarat Titans to lift their second consecutive IPL title in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

On paper, the reigning champions are the overwhelming favourites against the 2022 winners because of the fearless, high-risk game that they have been playing in this tournament so far.

It has landed them in trouble occasionally but Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, when available, and Venkatesh Iyer have relentlessly pounded the opposition with single-gear batting.

The nature of pitches or oppositions' bowling strategies have had little effect on their battering ram approach, and no other team has managed to go past 200 as often as they did in this edition of the IPL.

Patidar's calm approach to captaincy too has added to Royal Challengers' stability as a team across the last two seasons.

He is not as evocative as former leaders Kohli or Faf du Plessis but there is a certain assuredness about the way the 32-year-old does his job, keeping both the superstars and greenhorns in side at ease.

The RCB also have a stingy bowling unit, stifling the rival batters from the power play phase. But the Bhuvneshwar Kumar-led attack will have to be at their absolute best against the in-form Gujarat top-order.

In a tournament where the batters made optimum use of power play scoring over 11 or 12 runs an over, GT openers - skipper Shubhman Gill and Sai Sudharsan - have been happy to maintain a run-rate just above 9.

This linear build-up might be a conventional approach to Power Play, but it is partially because GT have a rather soft middle-order and the top three - Gill, Sudharsan and Jos Buttler need to do the heavy lifting.

To their credit, Gill (722, strike-rate: 163), Sudharsan (710, SR: 159) and Buttler (507, SR: 157) have delivered almost consistently.

They will have to do the job once again in the match that matters the most, and GT's home record this season -five wins in seven matches - offers a crumb of comfort as well.

It will be easier said than done as Bhuvneshwar, second in the Purple Cap list with 26 wickets, Josh Hazlewood (13 wickets), Rasikh Salam (16 wickets) and Krunal Pandya (13 wickets) have formed a wily and varied bowling attack for RCB. Not to forget, Pandya senior has also been very handy with the willow.

But in that department the Titans have a slight upper hand.

The Royal Challengers' batting order gives them an undeniable edge because of its depth and the presence of range-hitters throughout.

But GT's bowling line-up has the wherewithal to stop the marauding RCB batters, particularly if the Ahmedabad pitch offers grip to them.

Kagiso Rabada, the current leader in the Purple Cap race with 28 wickets, Mohammad Siraj, Rashid Khan, Jason Holder, and Prasidh Krishna have given the South African strong support.

Rabada and Siraj have struck an effective combine this season, bowling a chart-topping 165 and 162 dot balls respectively - an indication of their hold over batters even on some benign tracks.

The pair has used the hard length to telling effect, depriving the feared six-hitters the much needed space for their golf swing of the bat.

Siraj's fitness in focus

In that context, Siraj's fitness will be monitored closely as the pacer needed some medical attention to his shoulder during the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur on Friday.

He bowled a full quota of four overs but the seasoned quick was in visible discomfort, and GT will hope that it is not more than a minor hiccup.

But Siraj's fitness scenario does not really change the on-field equation.

The RCB are favourites in everybody's book, and this is a certainly final for them to lose.

The Red and Gold brigade will be eager to join Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the team to bag back-to-back IPL titles, and it is very much in the realm of achievable.

The Titans, however nerveless a side they have been, can only search for that proverbial tripwire in the laneway to deny RCB but it makes this final a riveting possibility.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU ARE IPL 2026 CHAMPIONS!

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