Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte the IPL 2026 win
A Dynasty Cemented in Ahmedabad
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have etched their names into the history books once again, becoming only the third team in the storied annals of the Indian Premier League to secure consecutive championships. Under the astute leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB successfully defended the crown they claimed in 2025, returning to the scene of their previous triumph at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to dismantle the Gujarat Titans in a commanding five-wicket victory.
The atmosphere in Ahmedabad was electric, but the Gujarat Titans struggled to impose their will on a surface that offered assistance to the seamers. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Patidar’s strategy paid dividends almost immediately. The Titans’ formidable opening duo, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, were dismissed during a clinical powerplay performance by the RCB bowlers. The momentum never shifted back to the home side; even a surprise promotion for Nishant Sindhu and the presence of international superstar Jos Buttler could not steady the ship.
The Bowling Masterclass and Kohli’s Class
Washington Sundar provided a glimmer of hope for the Titans with a hard-fought fifty, pushing their total to 155. However, the RCB bowling attack proved too disciplined for the task. Rasikh Salam led the charge with a brilliant spell, claiming three wickets, while the experienced pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with two wickets apiece to stifle any chance of a late-innings surge.
In response, RCB approached the modest target with an aggressive intent that defined their season. The opening partnership of Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli set the tone, putting up 62 runs in just four and a half overs. By the conclusion of the powerplay, the required run rate had plummeted to below six per over. Despite losing wickets at the other end, the legendary Virat Kohli remained the anchor of the chase. His unbeaten 75 not only guided his side home but served as a testament to his enduring brilliance on the biggest stage of all.
Global Recognition for the Champions
The significance of RCB’s achievement resonated far beyond the cricketing fraternity, drawing admiration from global icons. Among the first to reach out was Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill, who displayed remarkable grace in defeat. Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte the match, with Gill sharing a heartfelt message: “Played bold, well deserved @royalchallengers.bengaluru.”
The celebrations reached international football circles as well. Harry Kane, the England captain and prolific Bayern Munich striker, shared his excitement for his friend Virat Kohli and the RCB organization. Kane took to his social media to post: “What a player and what a knock @virat.kohli! Congrats @royalchallengers.bengaluru for making it back-to-back IPL titles.”
A Complete Team Effort
The victory was a collective triumph, drawing praise from former leadership figures within the franchise. Faf du Plessis, who captained RCB from 2022 to 2024, expressed his delight on X (formerly Twitter), noting that he had predicted this success before the tournament even began. “From day one, this looked like the most complete team in the competition. Consistent, clinical and deserving champions,” du Plessis wrote, acknowledging the pivotal roles played by Kohli, Patidar, Mo Bobat, and head coach Andy Flower.
This second consecutive title confirms that RCB has evolved into a clinical, championship-winning machine. With the core of the team showing such consistent form and a global fanbase celebrating their success, the legacy of this 2026 squad will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dominant periods in IPL history.
