RCB Aims for Third IPL Title After 2026 Victory

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has successfully clinched the IPL 2026 title, with captain Rajat Patidar expressing the team's ambition for a third consecutive championship. After a thrilling final against Gujarat Titans, where Virat Kohli's stellar performance led the team to victory, Patidar reflected on the calmer atmosphere this season compared to the previous one. RCB's bowlers played a crucial role in restricting GT's score, setting the stage for a confident chase. Discover more about RCB's journey and their aspirations for the future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2026, 09:23 IST

RCB's Ambition for Continued Success

Following their consecutive triumphs in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar emphasized the team's commitment to sustaining their winning streak and targeting a third title. RCB secured the IPL 2026 championship, thanks to a remarkable performance by Virat Kohli, who scored an impressive 75 runs off 42 balls, leading the team to victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final held in Ahmedabad on Sunday. They successfully chased down a challenging target of 156 runs, joining the ranks of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) as the only teams to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Patidar Reflects on Leadership and Season Performance

Patidar noted that the pressure felt by RCB in 2026 was significantly less compared to the previous year, attributing this to their dominant performances throughout the tournament. He described his leadership style as calm and composed, stating that while he may not be overtly expressive, he remains acutely aware of the game's dynamics. "Honestly, compared to last year, there was a lot of pressure in 2025. This year felt more relaxed because of our strong performance. We were confident that if we continued playing like this, we would secure the second title for RCB. My captaincy approach is different; I may not show much emotion, but I am fully aware of the game situation," Patidar explained.

Match Summary: IPL 2026 Final

In the final match, Gujarat Titans batted first and managed to score only 155 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 50 runs off 37 balls, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs off 18 balls. RCB's bowlers, including Rasikh Dar Salam (3 wickets for 27 runs), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 29), and Josh Hazlewood (2 for 37), consistently took wickets. RCB's innings began with a solid 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 runs off 16 balls) and Virat Kohli. Although GT managed to reduce RCB to 132 for 5 at one point, Kohli's unbeaten 75 runs off 42 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes, led RCB to victory with two overs to spare.