Beyond Virat Kohli: The collective force that powered RCB to another IPL title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrived at the IPL final as the best team of the season. They left Ahmedabad as champions once again.

On a night that showcased their depth, composure, and championship mindset, RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets to secure a second consecutive IPL title. At the center of it all stood Virat Kohli, the franchise icon who produced another chase masterclass with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls.

The target of 156 was not a daunting one, but finals often carry their own pressure. Kohli made sure there would be no drama.

His innings, featuring nine fours and three sixes, included the fastest T20 half-century of his career, reaching the landmark in just 25 balls. Fittingly, he finished the chase himself, launching Arshad Khan for a six to seal victory with 12 balls remaining.

After years of carrying expectations on his shoulders, Kohli found joy in winning as part of a complete team.

"(It is the) stuff you dream of. (I) thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run," Kohli said after the match.

Kohli leads the way but praises the team around him

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Indian cricket player Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring a half-century (50 runs) during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28, 2026Getty Images

RCB's chase began with aggression. Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer tore into Gujarat's attack, adding 62 runs in just 4.3 overs.

The pair particularly targeted Kagiso Rabada. Kohli hammered the South African with a sequence of 4, 4, 6, 4, while Venkatesh also attacked from the other end.

Although RCB briefly slipped to 91 for four after the dismissals of Venkatesh, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya, Kohli remained calm.

Tim David chipped in with a brisk 24, easing the pressure, while Kohli anchored the innings until the finish.

At 37, Kohli continues to evolve his game.

"Such is the demand (that) super young players (are) pushing you to up the ante," he said.

"I had to change my mindset, not my game so much, take on bowlers and get extra runs."

But what pleased him most was the collective strength of the squad.

“We've had to wait for so long and then just to have a group of guys where you feel like you're stepping onto the ground, you don't need to be the one to step up every time,” Kohli said.

“These guys are behind you (and) around you, who can win games of cricket for you. We have so many Man of the Match awards spread throughout the group as well."

Kohli pointed to the contributions made throughout the season.

“You look at world-class bowling of Hoff (Josh Hazlewood), Bhuv (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), Duff (Jacob Duffy), and Krunal Pandya — you can bank on him as good as ever — Rasikh (Salam) Dar was brilliant this season,” he said.

The confidence within the group was evident throughout the final.

"I felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through. (We) knew exactly what to do in the chase."

Bowlers set the foundation as Titans lose their way

Before Kohli's heroics, RCB's bowlers had already seized control of the contest.

On a slow surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat Titans never found momentum and finished with a below-par 155 for eight.

Washington Sundar fought hard with an unbeaten 50, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled.

The damage began early.

Captain Shubman Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood, while Sai Sudharsan departed soon after to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Titans ended the Power Play at 45 for two, having lost both of their most prolific batters.

Jos Buttler and Washington attempted to rebuild, but RCB's disciplined attack never allowed them to break free.

Rasikh Salam Dar continued his impressive season with figures of 3 for 27, removing Nishant Sindhu and Rahul Tewatia as Gujarat's innings lost direction.

The Titans did not hit their first six until the 13th over, highlighting their struggles.

Hazlewood later credited continuity within the squad for RCB's success.

"I think the franchise have put together beautifully. Great support staff. It's tough to build that culture so fast when the teams change every three years," he said.

"This (title win) is right up there. We had to wait a long time for the first win last year. More relaxed with the group (now), got the monkey off the back last year. Calm and composed throughout. Someone or other stepped up. (We won) 10 Player of the Match awards."

Hazlewood also praised Bhuvneshwar Kumar's remarkable consistency.

"Can't remember a game where he went over 35 runs. Took wickets, we could be relaxed. It's nice."

Bhuvneshwar, who finished the season with 28 wickets, said preparation was key.

"Yes, the trophy is the most important. I would trade it with the Purple Cap. The season went well, there was a lot of planning ahead of it."

"If you take wickets, the confidence is up. Coming into a big game, (the) past wins give you confidence. We were at our best and that's what we needed."

A champion team built on trust, balance and belief

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Krunal Pandya celebrates after taking the wicket of Punjab Kings' Josh Inglis during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025. Getty Images

While Kohli delivered the decisive innings, RCB's players repeatedly emphasized that this title was about the entire group.

Krunal Pandya credited the support staff and squad-building process.

"A lot of credit goes to the support staff: Mo Bobat, Andy Flower, DK (Dinesh Karthik), Malolan (Rangarajan). Half of the win is in the auction and we did a good job, I'm glad we went back-to-back for the trophies."

"18 years of waiting, (winning) back-to-back trophies, it's special."

Devdutt Padikkal admitted batting alongside Kohli makes life easier.

"When wickets fell, Venky asked me if I was nervous, but you don't need to be when he's batting in the middle (on Virat Kohli), has been superb and his hunger for runs has been unbelievable."

RCB wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma highlighted the team's mindset.

"Like Mo said before, we're not defending, we're attacking and chasing something. The mindset was not to defend the title."

"We were strong, but we focused on one game at a time, we didn't think about the opponents, we just kept up with the process. Hopefully, we will get a third title."

Kohli echoed those sentiments.

"Our first target was to go top of the table. We didn't care what jersey was in front of us thereon. We're respectful, don't poke any team. We have mature professionals and experience shines through."

He also reflected on the moment that helped restore belief after a challenging stretch late in the season.

“After the break, we had a couple of losses… I mean, one loss, and then we had a close win against MI,” he said.

“I'd say that week for us was a bit tricky because we wanted to finish top, but as soon as we got there, (with the) win against MI, the belief kicked back in."

As celebrations erupted around him, Kohli looked at a team that no longer depended solely on him but still turned to him when the biggest moments arrived.

On the grandest stage of the season, he delivered once again. And with a second straight IPL trophy secured, Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a campaign defined by dominance, balance, and the confidence of a champion team.