Royal Challengers Bengaluru underlined their dominance of the Indian Premier League with a comprehensive five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the final on Sunday, successfully defending their crown and securing a second successive title on the back of Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 and a disciplined bowling performance.
On a sluggish pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB first restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 before chasing down the target with 12 balls to spare, completing another memorable campaign in emphatic fashion.
Kohli once again proved why he remains one of the finest chasers in the game, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 75 off 42 deliveries. The veteran batter paced the chase expertly, absorbing pressure whenever required and accelerating at crucial moments before sealing victory with a towering six.
RCB’s pursuit got off to a flying start as Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer launched an early assault on Gujarat’s pace attack. The pair added 62 runs in just 4.3 overs, with Kagiso Rabada bearing the brunt of the attack. Kohli struck a series of boundaries and a six, while Venkatesh ensured the required rate never became an issue.
The Titans briefly fought back through quick wickets. Venkatesh, Devdutt Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya departed in quick succession, reducing RCB to 91/4 and offering Gujarat a glimmer of hope.
However, Kohli remained unflustered. The 37-year-old reached his half-century in characteristic fashion and found an able ally in Tim David, whose brisk 24 off 17 balls eased the pressure. A dropped chance off Kohli further hurt Gujarat’s fading hopes before the former India captain finished the match in style.
Earlier, RCB’s bowlers had laid the groundwork for the triumph by producing a clinical display on a surface that offered assistance to disciplined seam bowling.
Gujarat’s hopes of posting a challenging total depended heavily on openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, both of whom had enjoyed prolific seasons. But neither could make an impact on the big occasion.
Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood after edging a mistimed stroke, while Sai Sudharsan was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar after struggling to find rhythm. Gujarat managed only 45/2 in the Powerplay and never recovered from the sluggish start.
Washington Sundar provided the lone bright spot with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, but wickets continued to tumble around him. Young pacer Rasikh Salam Dhar impressed with figures of 3/27, while Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar claimed two wickets apiece.
As Kohli struck the winning runs, jubilant celebrations erupted in the RCB camp. Captain Rajat Patidar joined the select list of IPL skippers to successfully defend the title, while Kohli once again stood at the centre of RCB’s latest championship success.
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