- By Namrata Vijay
- Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final: Virat Kohli once again demonstrated why he ranks among the sport's greatest match-winners as he blazed a match-winning knock of 75 runs and powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to triumph over Gujarat Titans by five wickets during the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium. While chasing a modest target of 165 runs, Kohli anchored the team’s pursuit and concluded this edition by amassing 675 runs.
Andy Flower, the head coach of the Bengaluru-based franchise, spoke with heartfelt admiration in a tribute video, saying, "Virat, I know you get a lot of attention and quite rightly. But I don't want to downplay that, because you are a heartbeat in this dressing room." His words resonated with the emotions of every player and fan, capturing Kohli's profound influence beyond the field.
Kohli propelled the Bengaluru-based franchise to a flying start by forging a 62-run partnership with Venkatesh Iyer for the opening wicket and then led the batting assault. He hammered pacer Kagiso Rabada from the first ball, cracking two fours and a six to heap pressure on the hosts.
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Ex-India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar conveyed deep appreciation for Kohli’s poise on grand occasions: "He relishes these situations, he looks forward to these situations where he can show how good a player he is. What kind of temperament does he have, the winning mindset he has?" His words captured the nation's admiration for Kohli's indomitable spirit.
The Bengaluru-based franchise sustained the heroics of last year's first IPL title win. They soared to the top of the table and stormed into the summit clash.
The craze for Kohli was evident among fans, who were seen wearing the No. 18 jersey.
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After being adjudged the Player of the match, Kohli was heard saying at the presentation ceremony, "I always say we don't have seven home games, we probably have 14."
He further said, "I meant GT are probably the home side, but you see 90% of the guys are RCB fans. Their support is priceless".
Despite their consecutive title, the Rajat Patidar-led side has chosen to forego a jubilant homecoming celebration. The memory of the previous year’s tragedy—when a victory parade at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in heartbreak as 11 loyal fans lost their lives—still casts a poignant shadow over their triumph.
In a voice choked with emotion, skipper Rajat Patidar shared, "Obviously, you feel bad—you lost your faith after winning the game. Not just fans, they are the family members. I always want to dedicate this trophy to them. I don't have words to express that feeling." His heartfelt words echoed the immeasurable loss and the team's solemn tribute to their beloved supporters.