KING KOHLI KEEPS CROWN

Kohli’s 75* carries Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second successive IPL title with five-wicket victory over Titans

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

In his illustrious career, there are umpteen examples of why Virat Kohli is regarded as one of the best chasers in cricket history.

On Sunday, the superstar chose the grand stage of IPL 2026 final to again showcase his chasing skills by leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans as they retained the title.

On a Narendra Modi Stadium pitch where most batters struggled to time the ball, Kohli dazzled with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes).

Electing to bowl, the RCB pace attack blew away the GT top-order to restrict the hosts to 155/8. In pursuit of the runs, RCB also suffered a few hiccups, reduced to 132/5 at one stage, but Kohli held firm at one end before finishing the game in style with a six over long-on.

The victory helped captain Rajat Patidar join an elite list with two other captains, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, to win back-to-back IPL titles. At the same venue, Patidar had led RCB to their maiden title last year.

For the second time in less than a week, GT felt the full force of RCB's might. Batted out of the game in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, GT were wrecked by the RCB pace attack on Sunday.