Royal Challengers Bengaluru Secures Back-to-Back IPL Titles

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has made history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating the Gujarat Titans in a thrilling final. Virat Kohli's outstanding performance, scoring 75 runs, was pivotal in this victory. Coach Andy Flower praised Kohli's leadership and influence within the team, calling him the 'heartbeat' of the dressing room. Kohli has been with RCB since the league's inception in 2008, making him a unique figure in IPL history. Discover more about RCB's journey and Kohli's impact on the team's success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2026, 21:09 IST

RCB's Historic Triumph in IPL 2026

After enduring 17 years of challenges, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally clinched their first IPL title in 2025. Building on this success, the Rajat Patidar-led team continued their impressive performance into IPL 2026, becoming only the third franchise to retain their championship title. In the final match, RCB triumphed over the Gujarat Titans (GT), marking their second consecutive IPL victory. Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in the final, scoring a crucial 75 runs. Despite no longer being the captain, Kohli remains a focal point of attention within the team.

Following RCB's championship win, head coach Andy Flower praised Kohli's influence, referring to him as the "heartbeat" of the team. In a video shared by RCB, Flower expressed, "Virat, I know you receive a lot of attention, and rightly so. I don't want to diminish that because you are a heartbeat in this dressing room. Your courage to face high-quality opponents is exemplary for all of us." He further highlighted the bravery displayed by the players during the playoffs, emphasizing the importance of skill, cricket intelligence, and heart at the highest levels of the game.

Virat Kohli's Long-standing Association with RCB

Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Virat Kohli has been a loyal player for RCB, making him the only athlete in the league's history to represent a single team every season. Recognizing his potential, RCB retained Kohli before the mega-auction in 2011, and he became the team's full-time captain in 2013. Although RCB faced challenges under his leadership, reaching only one IPL final, Kohli stepped down as captain after IPL 2021 and now plays under Rajat Patidar, with Faf du Plessis leading the team from 2022 to 2024.