Incredible scenes as Virat Kohli stars in RCB's IPL triumph

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their Indian Premier League (IPL) crown, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The victory marked RCB’s second consecutive IPL title, with Virat Kohli once again proving to be the team's biggest match-winner.

Kohli Shines on the Biggest Stage

Chasing a target of 156, Virat Kohli played a captain's knock, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls.

Kohli's Match-Winning Innings:

• 75 runs off 42 balls*

• 9 fours and 3 sixes

• Finished the match with a six off Arshad Khan

• Anchored the chase despite losing wickets at the other end

Kohli and Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a flying start with a 62-run opening partnership.

Key Contributions:

Virat Kohli: 75* (42)
Venkatesh Iyer: 32 (16)

Gujarat Fight Back After Strong RCB Start

RCB looked in complete control at 62 without loss before Gujarat's bowlers staged a comeback.

Gujarat's Best Bowlers:

• Rashid Khan: 2/25

• Arshad Khan: 1/32

• Kagiso Rabada: 1 wicket

• Mohammed Siraj: Key breakthrough wicket of Venkatesh Iyer

RCB slipped from 62/0 to 91/4, but Kohli kept his composure to guide the team home.

RCB Bowlers Set Up the Victory

Earlier, RCB's bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155/8.

Standout Bowling Performances:

Rasikh Salam: 3/27
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2/29
Josh Hazlewood: 2/37

Their efforts ensured Gujarat never gained momentum on a challenging batting surface.

Washington Sundar's Lone Resistance

Gujarat struggled throughout their innings, with only Washington Sundar offering significant resistance.

Gujarat Batting Highlights:

Washington Sundar: 50* (37)
Sai Sudharsan: 12
Shubman Gill: 10

The Titans managed only 45 runs in the powerplay, putting themselves under pressure early.

Powerplay Proves Decisive

The difference between the two teams was evident in the opening six overs.

Powerplay Comparison:

• RCB: 70 runs

• Gujarat Titans: 45 runs

Kohli later revealed the team's aggressive strategy:

"Told Venky we need to kill the game in the powerplay. There was total clarity. We had small targets and played free cricket."

Kohli Reflects on Dream Finish

After hitting the winning runs, Kohli expressed his joy at delivering another memorable title for Bengaluru fans.

Kohli's Reaction:

"Stuff you dream of. Thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run. Felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through."

Season's Top Run-Scorers

Kohli finished the tournament as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the season.

Leading Run-Getters:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 776 runs
Shubman Gill – 732 runs
Sai Sudharsan – 722 runs
Virat Kohli – 675 runs

Match Summary

IPL Final Result:

Gujarat Titans: 155/8 (20 overs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 156/5 (18 overs)

Result:

RCB won by 5 wickets

With Virat Kohli once again delivering under pressure and the bowlers laying the foundation, RCB celebrated a memorable triumph in front of nearly 90,000 fans, cementing their status as the dominant force in the IPL.