The question “who won IPL 2026?” has a clear answer: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the 2026 Indian Premier League after defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the final. The championship match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, 2026.
Gujarat Titans scored 155/8 after being asked to bat first, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully chased the target, reaching 161/5 in 18 overs. The victory gave RCB their second IPL title and allowed the franchise to successfully defend its championship.
Virat Kohli played a decisive role in the final, remaining unbeaten on 75 from 42 deliveries. His innings helped RCB complete the chase comfortably and earned him the Player of the Match award. The official IPL match report confirmed that RCB became only the third franchise to retain the IPL title, following Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
In this article, we will cover the IPL 2026 winner, final scorecard, RCB vs GT final, major performances, RCB’s championship journey, key players, records, FAQs, and everything you need to know about the IPL winner 2026.
Who Won IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2026.
RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final. Gujarat Titans posted 155/8 in their 20 overs, but RCB chased the target with two overs remaining, finishing on 161/5.
The result was particularly significant for RCB because the franchise had already won its first IPL championship in the previous season. By winning again in 2026, RCB successfully defended its title and collected its second IPL trophy.
IPL 2026 Winner at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Runner-up | Gujarat Titans |
| Final Result | RCB won by 5 wickets |
| Gujarat Titans | 155/8 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 161/5 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Final Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Player of the Match | Virat Kohli |
| Kohli’s Score | 75* off 42 balls |
| RCB IPL Titles | 2 |
Therefore, if you searched for who won IPL 2026 final, the answer is RCB.
IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs Gujarat Titans
The IPL 2026 final brought together two teams that had already demonstrated their strength throughout the tournament: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.
The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the IPL trophy at stake.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first. That decision immediately paid off as RCB’s bowling attack put Gujarat’s batting lineup under pressure.
According to the official match report, RCB’s bowlers successfully used short-length deliveries, with six of Gujarat’s eight dismissals coming from that type of delivery. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were among the important early wickets for RCB.
Gujarat eventually reached 155/8, with Washington Sundar providing valuable resistance.
RCB then produced a strong chase. Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer attacked from the beginning, and RCB reached fifty in only 3.3 overs.
Although Gujarat briefly fought back by taking wickets in the middle overs, Kohli remained unbeaten and guided RCB across the finish line.
IPL 2026 Final Scorecard
The IPL 2026 final scorecard tells the story of a match in which Gujarat Titans struggled to build a large total before RCB controlled the chase.
Gujarat Titans – 155/8
Washington Sundar was Gujarat’s most important batter in the final. He scored an unbeaten 50 from 37 deliveries and remained at the crease while wickets fell around him.
The lower order attempted to provide a late boost. Arshad Khan scored 15 from six deliveries, while the rest of the batting lineup struggled to produce the partnerships needed for a bigger total.
Gujarat Titans Batting
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Washington Sundar | 50* |
| Arshad Khan | 15 |
| Other GT batters | Contributed remaining runs |
| Total | 155/8 |
Gujarat’s total of 155 meant RCB needed 156 runs to win the championship.
RCB Bowling Performance
RCB’s bowlers played a major part in restricting Gujarat to 155/8.
Important RCB Bowling Performances
- Rasikh Salam – 3 wickets
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2 wickets
- Josh Hazlewood – 2 wickets
Rasikh Salam finished with 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood also played important roles in breaking Gujarat’s batting partnerships.
The official IPL report highlighted RCB’s short-ball strategy as one of the defining tactical features of the first innings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chase
RCB required 156 runs to win the IPL 2026 final.
The chase started aggressively.
Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer attacked Gujarat’s bowlers immediately. Their partnership helped RCB reach 50 in just 3.3 overs, which the official IPL report described as the fastest team fifty in an IPL final.
Venkatesh Iyer scored 32 from only 16 balls before Mohammed Siraj dismissed him.
Gujarat then created another opportunity when Rashid Khan dismissed Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in quick succession.
Tim David also fell after a successful review, giving Gujarat hope of forcing a close finish.
However, Virat Kohli remained at the crease.
Kohli reached his half-century from just 25 deliveries and continued to control the chase. He eventually finished unbeaten on 75 from 42 balls.
Jitesh Sharma provided support at the other end as RCB completed the chase in the 18th over.
Virat Kohli’s Role in the IPL 2026 Final
One of the biggest stories surrounding the IPL 2026 winner was Virat Kohli’s performance.
Kohli finished the final with:
- 75 runs*
- 42 balls
- Nine fours
- Three sixes
- Half-century from 25 balls
His unbeaten innings meant RCB never lost control of the chase after Gujarat’s middle-order fightback.
Kohli’s performance also earned him the Player of the Match award.
The final was another example of his importance to RCB’s batting lineup. Rather than trying to score every ball aggressively, he combined controlled stroke play with calculated attacking shots.
His unbeaten 75 ensured RCB had enough stability to finish the chase without a last-over situation.
Kohli’s Winning Six
The final moment of the IPL 2026 final belonged to Virat Kohli.
With RCB close to the target, Kohli finished the championship chase with a six.
That shot completed RCB’s successful defence of its title and became one of the defining images of the tournament.
For fans searching for Virat Kohli IPL 2026, the final was one of the most significant performances of his campaign.
Kohli also finished the season as RCB’s leading run scorer with 675 runs, according to the tournament’s final match coverage.
RCB’s IPL 2026 Championship Journey
Winning an IPL trophy requires more than one successful match.
RCB’s 2026 campaign included a strong league-stage performance and an impressive playoff run.
The team entered the playoffs with enough momentum to make a direct push for the final.
RCB vs Gujarat Titans – Qualifier 1
RCB and Gujarat Titans also met in Qualifier 1.
RCB produced a dominant performance, scoring 255 before restricting Gujarat to 162.
Rajat Patidar played a major role with an unbeaten 93.
The result sent RCB directly into the final.
Gujarat, meanwhile, received another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
This created an unusual situation in which RCB and Gujarat met again in the final after already facing each other in the playoffs.
Gujarat Titans’ Route to the IPL 2026 Final
Gujarat Titans were one of the strongest teams during the tournament.
Although they lost Qualifier 1 against RCB, they had another route to the final.
Gujarat defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 by seven wickets, successfully chasing a target of 219.
That victory put GT into the championship match against RCB.
The final therefore became a rematch between two teams that had already played a major playoff game against each other.
RCB vs GT Final: How the Match Was Decided
Several factors shaped the final.
1. RCB’s Fast Start With the Ball
RCB immediately put Gujarat under pressure.
The seamers attacked the batters with short deliveries and repeatedly forced Gujarat into difficult shots.
This prevented GT from building the large partnerships that could have taken the total beyond 170 or 180.
2. Washington Sundar’s Resistance
Washington Sundar was the standout batter for Gujarat.
His unbeaten 50 kept GT’s innings from collapsing completely.
Without his contribution, Gujarat’s total could have been considerably lower.
3. Kohli and Iyer’s Explosive Start
RCB’s opening phase was completely different.
Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer attacked immediately, reaching fifty in only 3.3 overs.
This meant the required run rate never became a serious problem.
4. Kohli’s Control
Even after Gujarat took several middle-order wickets, Kohli stayed at the crease.
His unbeaten 75 ensured RCB had enough control to finish the match with 12 balls remaining.
Why RCB Won IPL 2026
The answer to how RCB won IPL 2026 can be divided into three major areas: bowling, batting, and composure during the chase.
Strong Bowling
RCB’s bowlers restricted GT to 155/8.
The short-ball strategy worked particularly well against Gujarat’s batting lineup.
Fast Batting Start
Kohli and Iyer gave RCB an outstanding start.
The fifty came in just 3.3 overs.
Kohli’s Finishing Ability
Kohli stayed unbeaten until the end and scored 75 from 42 deliveries.
Middle-Order Contributions
Even though Gujarat took important wickets, RCB’s remaining batters provided enough support for Kohli.
Tactical Execution
RCB’s decision to bowl first proved successful.
The team restricted Gujarat to a chaseable score and then attacked from the beginning of its innings.
Key Players in the IPL 2026 Final
Virat Kohli
Kohli was the most influential RCB batter in the final.
His 75* from 42 deliveries earned him Player of the Match.
His ability to remain at the crease after Gujarat’s middle-order wickets gave RCB the stability it needed.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer contributed 32 from only 16 balls.
His aggressive batting helped RCB establish control during the opening phase.
Rasikh Salam
Rasikh Salam was one of RCB’s most successful bowlers.
His three wickets helped prevent Gujarat from reaching a bigger total.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets and helped RCB maintain pressure on Gujarat’s batting lineup.
Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood also took two wickets and contributed to Gujarat’s early difficulties.
Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar was Gujarat’s standout batter.
His unbeaten 50 gave GT a chance of posting a competitive total.
IPL 2026 Final Match Highlights
The final can be summarized through several important stages.
Gujarat’s Powerplay
Gujarat lost important wickets early.
RCB’s bowlers used short deliveries effectively, preventing the GT top order from settling.
Gujarat’s Middle Overs
Washington Sundar attempted to rebuild the innings.
However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Gujarat’s Final Overs
The lower order added some useful runs, but Gujarat finished on 155/8.
RCB’s Powerplay
RCB immediately attacked.
Kohli and Iyer scored rapidly and brought up 50 in only 3.3 overs.
Middle Overs
Gujarat’s bowlers fought back.
Rashid Khan removed Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya, while Tim David also departed.
Final Stage
Kohli remained unbeaten.
RCB reached 161/5 in 18 overs and secured the championship.
How Many IPL Titles Does RCB Have?
After winning the 2026 final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have two IPL titles.
The franchise’s championship history includes its breakthrough title and its successful defence in 2026.
The 2026 victory was particularly notable because RCB became only the third franchise to successfully defend an IPL championship, according to the official IPL match report.
For readers searching RCB IPL titles, RCB IPL trophies, or how many IPL titles does RCB have, the current total is two.
RCB’s Back-to-Back IPL Titles
Winning one IPL championship is difficult.
Winning consecutive championships requires consistency across two seasons.
RCB’s 2026 title therefore represented more than another trophy.
The team successfully defended its championship against Gujarat Titans.
According to the official IPL website, the 2026 victory made RCB only the third franchise to retain the IPL title.
For the complete tournament news, match reports, fixtures and official IPL information, readers can also visit the official IPL website.
RCB vs GT Head-to-Head in IPL 2026
The RCB vs Gujarat Titans rivalry became particularly important during the 2026 playoffs.
The two teams met in:
- Qualifier 1
- IPL 2026 Final
RCB won both major playoff meetings.
In Qualifier 1, RCB produced a huge total of 255 and defeated Gujarat by 92 runs.
In the final, the contest was much closer, but RCB again emerged victorious.
This made RCB vs GT IPL 2026 one of the most important matchups of the postseason.
The final also demonstrated two very different styles.
Gujarat depended heavily on rebuilding after losing wickets, while RCB’s chase was driven by a rapid start and Kohli’s control.
IPL 2026 Records and Milestones
The 2026 season produced several memorable achievements.
RCB’s Second IPL Championship
The most important achievement was RCB’s second IPL trophy.
Successful Title Defence
RCB became only the third franchise to retain the IPL championship.
Kohli’s 75* in the Final
Virat Kohli finished the final unbeaten on 75.
Fastest Team Fifty in an IPL Final
RCB reached 50 in 3.3 overs during the final.
RCB’s 255 in Qualifier 1
RCB’s enormous 255 against GT in Qualifier 1 was another major performance of their playoff campaign.
Strong Season for Kohli
Kohli ended the season with 675 runs for RCB.
IPL 2026 Season’s Major Performers
The IPL 2026 season was not only about the final.
Several players produced outstanding campaigns across the tournament.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Sooryavanshi was one of the major batting performers of IPL 2026.
He finished the tournament with 776 runs and was named Player of the Series.
Kagiso Rabada
Rabada led the bowling charts with 29 wickets during the season.
His performance made him one of the most successful bowlers of the tournament.
Virat Kohli
Kohli finished with 675 runs for RCB and played a central role in their championship campaign.
The official IPL platform highlighted both Sooryavanshi’s tournament performance and Rabada’s 29-wicket season in its 2026 coverage.
IPL 2026 Final Venue
The final was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The stadium provided the setting for one of the most important matches of the IPL season.
For searches such as IPL final 2026 venue, IPL 2026 final stadium, and where was IPL 2026 final played, the answer is the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The venue hosted the championship match between RCB and GT on May 31, 2026.
IPL 2026 Final Date
The IPL 2026 final was played on May 31, 2026.
The match concluded with RCB chasing down Gujarat’s 155/8 and reaching 161/5 in 18 overs.
This gave RCB a five-wicket victory and its second IPL championship.
IPL 2026 Winner vs Previous IPL Champions
The IPL has had multiple champions throughout its history.
Some of the franchises that have won the competition include:
- Rajasthan Royals
- Deccan Chargers
- Chennai Super Kings
- Mumbai Indians
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Gujarat Titans
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB’s 2026 victory added another championship to its history.
The official IPL site lists Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the 2026 winners and provides the tournament’s winner archive.
What Made IPL 2026 Special?
The 2026 IPL season produced several memorable storylines.
RCB Defended Its Championship
The biggest storyline was RCB’s successful defence.
After becoming champions, they returned the following season and won again.
Kohli Delivered in the Final
Kohli’s unbeaten 75 was the central batting performance of the championship match.
Gujarat Reached Another Final
Gujarat Titans once again reached the IPL final after navigating the playoff stages.
Young Players Made an Impact
The season also showcased emerging talent, including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
High-Scoring Cricket
RCB’s 255 in Qualifier 1 was one of the standout batting performances of the playoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions About IPL 2026
Who won IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final.
Who was the IPL 2026 winner?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the IPL 2026 winner.
Who won the IPL 2026 final?
RCB won the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans.
Who played the IPL 2026 final?
The final was played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.
Who won RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the final by five wickets.
What was the IPL 2026 final score?
Gujarat Titans scored 155/8, while RCB scored 161/5 in 18 overs.
Where was the IPL 2026 final played?
The final was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
When was the IPL 2026 final?
The final took place on May 31, 2026.
Who was Player of the Match in the IPL 2026 final?
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls.
How many IPL trophies does RCB have?
RCB have two IPL titles after winning the 2026 championship.
Did RCB win IPL 2026?
Yes. RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets to win IPL 2026.
Who scored the most runs in the IPL 2026 final?
Virat Kohli scored the most runs for RCB with an unbeaten 75. Washington Sundar was Gujarat’s highest scorer with an unbeaten 50.
Who was the highest run scorer in IPL 2026?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finished the season with 776 runs.
Who took the most wickets in IPL 2026?
Kagiso Rabada finished as the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets.
Who was Player of the Series in IPL 2026?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Series.
Did RCB win consecutive IPL titles?
Yes. RCB successfully defended its IPL championship in 2026.
Who was the captain of RCB in IPL 2026?
Rajat Patidar captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the 2026 final.
Who was the captain of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026?
Gujarat Titans were led by their captain during the 2026 campaign, with the team reaching the final before losing to RCB.
Final Verdict: Who Won IPL 2026?
So, who won IPL 2026?
The answer is Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gujarat scored 155/8, but RCB successfully chased 156, finishing on 161/5 with two overs remaining.
Virat Kohli was the star of the chase, scoring an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls. His performance earned him Player of the Match and helped RCB close out another championship campaign.
The victory gave RCB its second IPL title and made the franchise only the third team to successfully defend the IPL championship.
Gujarat Titans had reached the final after an impressive campaign, but RCB’s bowling attack, explosive start to the chase, and Kohli’s composed finishing proved decisive.
For anyone searching IPL 2026 winner, who won IPL 2026 final, IPL 2026 champion, or RCB vs GT final scorecard, the key result remains the same: Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the IPL 2026 champions.