Led by Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title and walked away with a prize money of ₹20 crore. The runners-up, Gujarat Titans, earned ₹12.5 crore after a strong campaign that saw them reach their second IPL final.
The summit clash was a fitting finale to the season. After being put under pressure early, the Gujarat Titans managed to post 155/8, thanks largely to a resilient, unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar. However, the total never quite looked enough against a confident RCB unit.
RCB’s bowlers laid the groundwork for the win. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early blows by dismissing key openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan inside the powerplay. Rasikh Salam Dar further dented GT’s innings with an impressive spell, finishing with three wickets.
Chasing 156, RCB once again leaned on their biggest match-winner, Virat Kohli. The veteran delivered a masterclass under pressure, remaining unbeaten on 75 off just 42 balls. His innings, studded with nine boundaries and three sixes, ensured there were no late hiccups in the chase.
Kohli found support from Venkatesh Iyer at the top and Tim David in the middle overs, who added a crucial 24 runs. In trademark fashion, Kohli sealed the victory with a towering six, sparking celebrations among fans and teammates alike.
While the trophy once again belongs to RCB, the Gujarat Titans can take pride in a commendable season turnaround after an inconsistent start. Their runners-up finish and prize purse reflect a campaign filled with resilience and standout performances.
In the end, IPL 2026 delivered both high-quality cricket and rewarding paychecks, with RCB standing tall as champions on and off the field.
