RCB's Second Triumph and the Story of IPL 2026: A Season of Evolution and Excellence

RCB joined the elite company of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians by winning the IPL crown in successive years.

- Anup V Menon

Unlike last year, when the pressure of winning their maiden title weighed heavily on them, this year's triumph was built on class in execution, precision in planning, and tactical clarity.

RCB always had the flair. Over the years, some of the biggest names in world cricket donned the red and gold. Yet, despite all the star power, there was little to show for it until 2025. Their journey bears a striking resemblance to that of Paris Saint-Germain in European football. For years, PSG boasted the likes of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, yet failed to conquer Europe. It was only when Luis Enrique and his think tank went back to the drawing board and built a system driven team that sustained success followed. The result was a Champions League title in 2025 and a successful defence of that crown a year later.

RCB's transformation has followed a similar path. For years, they were viewed as a side capable of scoring runs at will but lacking the bowling depth and balance required to win titles consistently. Their auction strategies were often questioned, and team combinations rarely looked settled. However, over the last two seasons, they have covered all bases, thanks largely to the vision and planning of the backroom staff.

So, what stood out for RCB this year?

It was a delight to watch two seasoned campaigners, Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, lead the batting and bowling units respectively. Who says age is a barrier? These two proved that consistency at the highest level has more to do with skill, temperament and experience than numbers.