The IPL 2026 Final Match Highlights: RCB vs GT Full Scorecard Report ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defending their title after beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31.
Gujarat Titans posted 155/8 in 20 overs, with Washington Sundar holding the innings together with an unbeaten 50. RCB then chased the target comfortably, reaching 161/5 in 18 overs as Virat Kohli produced a match-winning 75 not out from 42 balls.
The victory gave RCB their second consecutive IPL title and made them only the third franchise to successfully defend the trophy.
IPL 2026 Final: Match Summary
Match Detail | Result |
|---|---|
Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans |
Tournament | IPL 2026 Final |
Date | May 31, 2026 |
Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
Toss | RCB won the toss and chose to field |
Gujarat Titans | 155/8 in 20 overs |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 161/5 in 18 overs |
Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
Player of the Match | Virat Kohli |
Virat Kohli | 75* off 42 balls |
IPL — Official IPL 2026 Final Match Report
Gujarat Titans Innings: 155/8
RCB captain Rajat Patidar chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and his fast bowlers quickly justified the decision.
Gujarat lost both openers early.
Shubman Gill was dismissed for 10 by Josh Hazlewood, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sai Sudharsan for 12.
That early pressure prevented Gujarat from building the kind of opening partnership that had been central to their successful league campaign.
GT Batting Scorecard
Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
Sai Sudharsan | 12 | 12 |
Shubman Gill | 10 | 8 |
Nishant Sindhu | 20 | 18 |
Jos Buttler | 19 | 23 |
Washington Sundar | 50* | 37 |
Arshad Khan | 15 | 6 |
Rahul Tewatia | 7 | 5 |
Jason Holder | 7 | 5 |
Rashid Khan | 7 | 3 |
Kagiso Rabada | 3* | 3 |
Total: 155/8 in 20 overs
IPL — RCB vs GT Final Full Scorecard
RCB’s Short-Ball Plan Hurts Gujarat
One of the clearest tactical features of the final was RCB’s use of short-length bowling.
The official IPL match report noted that six of Gujarat’s eight wickets came from short-length deliveries.
Hazlewood removed Gill early, while Bhuvneshwar dismissed Sudharsan.
Rasikh Salam then became the most successful bowler of the innings, taking three wickets as Gujarat struggled to generate sustained momentum.
Washington Sundar Holds the Innings Together
Washington Sundar produced Gujarat’s most important batting performance.
He remained unbeaten on 50 from 37 balls, hitting five fours.
While wickets fell around him, Sundar ensured GT still had a total to defend.
Gujarat reached 100 only in the 15th over, so his ability to bat through the innings was crucial.
Without his half-century, the final total could have been considerably lower.
RCB Bowling Figures
Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
Jacob Duffy | 4 | 38 | 0 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 29 | 2 |
Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 37 | 2 |
Rasikh Salam | 4 | 27 | 3 |
Krunal Pandya | 4 | 23 | 1 |
Rasikh’s 3/27 were the best figures of the innings.
Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood took two wickets each, while Krunal Pandya removed Jos Buttler.
RCB Chase Begins at Full Speed
Chasing 156 in a final could easily have produced a cautious start.
RCB chose the opposite approach.
Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer attacked immediately and brought up the team fifty in just 3.3 overs.
According to the official IPL match report, that was the fastest team fifty in an IPL final.
Venkatesh played the aggressor early, scoring 32 from only 16 balls.
By the time Gujarat found their first breakthrough, Bengaluru had already taken a large amount of pressure out of the chase.
RCB Batting Scorecard
Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
Venkatesh Iyer | 32 | 16 |
Virat Kohli | 75* | 42 |
Devdutt Padikkal | 1 | 4 |
Rajat Patidar | 15 | 13 |
Krunal Pandya | 1 | 2 |
Tim David | 24 | 17 |
Jitesh Sharma | 11* | 14 |
Total: 161/5 in 18 overs
Virat Kohli’s 75* Decides the Final
Virat Kohli was the central figure of RCB’s chase.
He finished unbeaten on:
75 runs
42 balls
9 fours
3 sixes
Strike rate: 178.57
Kohli reached his half-century from just 25 deliveries.
What made the innings valuable was not only the speed of the scoring. He stayed through the wickets that followed the explosive opening stand and ensured Gujarat never gained enough momentum to turn the chase around.
Kohli was named Player of the Match.
Venkatesh Iyer Gives RCB the Perfect Start
Venkatesh Iyer scored 32 from 16 deliveries.
His innings included four fours and two sixes and allowed Bengaluru to attack Gujarat before the pressure of a final could build.
RCB crossed 50 after only 3.3 overs.
Mohammed Siraj eventually dismissed Venkatesh, but by then the opening pair had already established complete control of the required rate.
Gujarat Briefly Fight Back
The final was not completely finished after the opening partnership.
Gujarat managed a brief comeback through Rashid Khan.
He dismissed captain Rajat Patidar for 15 and trapped Krunal Pandya lbw for one within four deliveries.
At that stage RCB slipped from 89/2 to 91/4.
Tim David then joined Kohli and helped settle the chase.
Tim David Adds an Important 24
Tim David scored 24 from 17 balls, including three fours and a six.
His partnership with Kohli pushed RCB beyond 130 and removed most of the remaining pressure.
Arshad Khan eventually dismissed David, but Gujarat had too few runs left to defend.
Jitesh Sharma then stayed with Kohli until the finish.
GT Bowling Figures
Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 36 | 1 |
Kagiso Rabada | 3 | 44 | 1 |
Jason Holder | 2 | 16 | 0 |
Rashid Khan | 4 | 25 | 2 |
Arshad Khan | 4 | 32 | 1 |
Prasidh Krishna | 1 | 7 | 0 |
Rashid Khan was Gujarat’s most effective bowler, taking 2/25.
However, the opening damage done by Kohli and Venkatesh meant Gujarat were defending too small a target to fully exploit those wickets.
How RCB Won the IPL 2026 Final
Four phases defined the final.
1. Early GT Wickets
RCB removed both Gujarat openers before either could build a substantial innings.
2. Rasikh Salam Controls the Middle and Death Overs
His three wickets prevented Gujarat from producing a large finishing surge.
3. RCB’s Record-Speed Start
Kohli and Venkatesh reached 50 in only 3.3 overs, immediately pushing the required rate well below the match tempo.
4. Kohli Bats Through the Chase
Even when Gujarat took wickets in the middle overs, Kohli remained at the crease and closed the door on a comeback.
RCB Successfully Defend the IPL Trophy
The victory carried historical significance beyond the final itself.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had won the IPL in 2025 and successfully retained the championship in 2026.
The official IPL report notes that RCB became only the third franchise to defend the title successfully, following Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
RCB now have two IPL titles.
RCB’s Road to the Final
RCB finished the league stage at the top of the table and then faced Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.
That match was far more one-sided than the final.
RCB scored 254/5, powered by captain Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93, before bowling Gujarat out for 162.
The 92-run victory sent Bengaluru directly into the final.
IPL — RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 Match Report
Gujarat Titans’ Road Back to the Final
Gujarat had to take the longer playoff route after losing Qualifier 1.
They faced Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 and successfully chased 215.
Captain Shubman Gill produced 104 from 53 balls, while Sai Sudharsan scored 58.
GT reached 219/3 in 18.4 overs, winning by seven wickets and booking another meeting with RCB in the final.
IPL — GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Match Report
IPL 2026 Final Key Performers
Player | Performance |
|---|---|
Virat Kohli | 75* off 42 |
Venkatesh Iyer | 32 off 16 |
Washington Sundar | 50* off 37 |
Rasikh Salam | 3/27 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2/29 |
Josh Hazlewood | 2/37 |
Rashid Khan | 2/25 |
Final Result
Gujarat Titans: 155/8 (20 overs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 161/5 (18 overs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by five wickets with 12 balls remaining.
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 75.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the IPL 2026 final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets.
What was the IPL 2026 final score?
Gujarat Titans scored 155/8, while RCB chased the target with 161/5 in 18 overs.
Who was Player of the Match in the IPL 2026 final?
Virat Kohli was Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls.
How many runs did Washington Sundar score?
Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 50 from 37 balls for Gujarat Titans.
How many wickets did Rasikh Salam take?
Rasikh Salam took three wickets for 27 runs.
Who captained RCB in the IPL 2026 final?
Rajat Patidar captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Where was the IPL 2026 final played?
The final was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Did RCB win back-to-back IPL titles?
Yes. RCB followed their 2025 championship by winning the IPL again in 2026.
References
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