RCB Vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026 Final: Kohli's Blistering Fifty Helps Bengaluru Defend Title Against Gujarat

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox, Philip Salt, Richard Gleeson, Swapnil Singh, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal

Gujarat Titans Squad: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Luke Wood, Connor Esterhuizen, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Ashok Sharma

Rajat Patidar: "There are a lot of learnings, especially off the field. And on the field, there are a lot of helping hands, I would say. There are a lot of experienced players and a group of leaders from whom I'm getting good ideas. So, I'm trying to understand those ideas and apply them to my game."

Shubman Gill: "Dharamshala is kind of a difficult venue to get to and travel from, but yes, physically they might have an advantage. But I think finals are all about the mental side of the game, so the team that is mentally up for the challenge is the one that is going to win."

Ahmedabad has hosted three IPL finals so far with team batting first winning once out of those three finals. In the 2022 and 2023 IPL finals, Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings won the matches whilst chasing.

• RCB Wins: 5

• GT Wins: 4

• Tied: 0

• No Result: 0

The live streaming of the RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final will be available on JioHotstar in India, whereas catch the LIVE telecast on Star Sports Network TV channels in India.

• Match 1: Defeated SRH By 6 Wickets

• Match 2: Defeated CSK By 43 Runs

• Match 3: Lost To RR By 6 Wickets

• Match 4: Defeated MI By 18 Runs

• Match 5: Defeated LSG By 5 Wickets

• Match 6: Lost To DC By 6 Wickets

• Match 7: Defeated GT By 5 Wickets

• Match 8: Defeated DC By 9 Wickets

• Match 9: Defeated RCB By 4 Wickets

• Match 10: Lost To LSG By 9 Runs

• Match 11: Defeated MI By 2 Wickets

• Match 12: Defeated KKR By 6 Wickets

• Match 13: Defeated PBKS By 23 Wickets

• Match 14: Lost To SRH By 55 Runs

• Qualifier 1: Defeated GT By 92 Runs

• Match 1: Lost To PBKS By 3 Wickets

• Match 2: Lost To RR By 6 Runs

• Match 3: Defeated DC By 1 Run

• Match 4: Defeated LSG By 7 Wickets

• Match 5: Defeated KKR By 5 Wickets

• Match 6: Lost To MI By 99 Runs

• Match 7: Lost To RCB By 5 Wickets

• Match 8: Lost To GT By 8 Wickets

• Match 9: Defeated RCB By 4 Wickets

• Match 10: Defeated PBKS By 4 Wickets

• Match 11: Defeated RR By 77 Runs

• Match 12: Defeated SRH By 82 Runs

• Match 13: Lost To KKR By 29 Runs

• Match 14: Defeated CSK By 89 Runs

• Qualifier 1: Lost To RCB By 92 Runs

• Qualifier 2: Defeated RR By 7 Wickets

"We are all geared up for this evening's game, the big final after so many weeks of action here in Ahmedabad. And the surface that we're standing on is pitch number 6. It's equidistant, both the square boundaries, just about 66 meters, so there's no real advantage for hitting or defending one side. It's a mixed soil wicket, a mixture of red and black soil. I think that makes it a very, very good batting wicket first up. The first thing I notice when I come and look at it is that it's very even and very flat. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be an absolute belter. I think that this might be slightly on the slower side. I wouldn't expect it to spin just with that soil composition. There are some great quicks in both sides. How would they go about bowling on this surface? Well, I don't expect to see anything different from what we've seen across the season actually. A high percentage of deliveries in that good length, 6 to 8 meters. And then the preference of those hit-the-deck bowlers, I wouldn't put Bhuvi in there, is to pull the length back just a touch and bang away on a good length or short of a good length. And if you win the toss, I think you're chasing later on. It gets better and better."

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and have opted to field

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar

Gill: (Would you have fielded as well?) No, we would have batted first, honestly. It looks like a good wicket and final game, so hopefully have some runs on the board and put them under pressure. (On the surface) Typical wicket. I think this is our third match we are playing on this wicket. It's been a really good wicket. There could be some movement in the first 2-3 overs for the fast bowlers, but the wicket settles down pretty nicely after that. (How are you feeling?) Feeling, I think the boys are ready to go. We are feeling fresh and we are ready. (On playing at this venue) One of the biggest stadiums in the world, if not the biggest. Always a privilege and a pleasure to play in such a big ground. We've got one change. Arshad (Khan) comes back in for Sai (Kishore).

Patidar: We'll bowl first. (On the surface) It's a pretty good wicket. The ball will come nicely on the bat, but to be honest, it will not change in the 40 overs. So we'll try to get them early as possible. (Mood in the dressing room for the final) A lot of memories last year, but I think it was in 2025. It's 2026. We have to do our best to win this match. (How you hold your nerve?) That's important, to keep yourself in the present, not to be too much far ahead. Let's control the controllables, that's it. (On the support) Always we love to play in this stadium because of the crowd, the way they came and especially the RCB supporters - 12th man army. They came in every stadium and supported us. (Team combination) The same team.

Both teams make their way out for the national anthem.

Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are out in the field to open with RCB now handing the ball to Jacob Duffy. If GT get to a blazing start, that will put pressure on the RCB side. However, if it goes other way round, Ashish Nehra and co will be having some jitters.

Sai Sudharsan goes for a heave on the leg side and misses completely, with the RCB players appealing for caught behind and umpire Nitin Menon raising his finger. Sudharsan reviews it and the replays show there's no nick.

GT captain Shubman Gill has to walk back! Josh Hazlewood strikes in his first over and removes the in-form skipper for 10. Gill goes for over the top shot but ends up scooping it right into the hands of his counterpart Rajat Patidar.

GT: 22/1 (2.2 Overs)

What a start for RCB tonight! Two wickets inside the PP and they are the big two players - Sai Sudharsan and Gill earlier. Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes again and the holders are ruling the roost in this final.

GT: 30/2 (4 Overs)

Gujarat Titans have had an underwhelming powerplay with two wickets and 45 runs scored. Gill and Sudharsan were the two batters dismissed as RCB made themselves count in the final. All on the shoulders of Jos Buttler and Nishant Sindhu.

GT: 45/2 (6 Overs)

Nishant Sindhu has to walk back after a steady start. The batter was looking good till Rasikh Salam Dar sent back the youngster as RCB tightened their grip on the final. The home team need a big partnership if they are to build some momentum.

GT: 55/3 (8 Overs)

GT are making this pitch look as deadly for batters which is not the case. RCB have bowled well on this pitch whereas the GT batters have not looked sharp enough and not picked the lengths right.

Halfway through and GT are 63 runs with three wickets down. Jos Buttler is there and so is Washington Sundar, who survived a close call. It seemed that Washington had to go back with Charlie Cox (sub) taking the catch off Jacob Duffy but replays showed the Englishman grassed some part of the ball. Sundar survives.

GT's current run-rate is 6.08 and it is not the right one if they are to get towards a big total. RCB bowlers have tightened the grip on this final with some neat lines and lengths that have not allowed GT batters to hit freely.

Jos Buttler looks frustrated as he makes the long walk back after being stumped off Krunal Pandya's over. Buttler comes down the track but misses it completely and easy stumping for Jitesh Sharma.

GT: 83-4 (13 Overs)

GT have reached 105 and have five overs remaining, if they are to get to a respectable total. RCB bowlers are having a field day tonight, with GT batters unable to cope with it.

This has been a disappointing batting performance from GT on their home turf. None of their batters have performed despite the track being a good pitch for batters. There are no demons and this is surely not a 120-run track.

GT's innings are faltering as RCB look to fold them under 160-runs. Superb bowling this from the IPL holders, who have not given an inch tonight against Shubman Gill-led side.

GT register 155 on the board with eight wickets lost. Washington Sundar with the fifty that leads them a par score in Ahmedabad. Superb bowling performance from the RCB side, who have hit the target from the first delivery. Should be an easy chase for the holders, unless GT make a match out of it.

Sub-160 totals have been defended four times in the IPL finals previously, thrice by MI (2013, 2017 and 2019) and once by Deccan Chargers (2009).

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 36/0 in 3 overs and GT are in for a shock. The home team did not intend to start in this manner, but Kohli and Iyer have started on a positive note and Shubman Gill needs to work on his strategies.

RCB have reached 63/1 after five overs and it seems they are in full mode to race towards the target of 156. GT's bowlers have had no answers to Virat Kohli's onslaught as they try to restrict the holders.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 75 runs in 78 balls and it's run a ball at the moment for the holders. GT need wickets but at the rate which Kohli is going, it seems impossible.

Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya had to walk back in the same over as GT fought back in the final against RCB. Rashid Khan with the two wickets in the over, to put his side back in the mix. RCB fans inside the stadium are shell-shocked with the holders still in the driving seat.

56 runs required off 60 balls - It's RCB's game from here unless they explode like they have done and GT go on a wicket-taking spree. One more wicket now and RCB fans and their dug-out will start feeling the jitters. Tangtalisingly poised final.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 47 runs in 54 balls and the game is slipping away for the GT side. Tim David has arrived on the scene and is going after the Gujarat bowlers.

Fastest 50s for Kohli in the IPL (by balls faced)
25 vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2026
26 vs RR, Bengaluru, 2018
26 vs DC, Delhi, 2018
27 vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025

RCB need 30 runs and have seven overs to complete the job. Just as when things were looking a bit worrisome, the holders find a way out thanks to Virat Kohli's batting master-class.

Just like PSG yesterday, RCB are now few runs away from defending their title. Cometh the hour, cometh the man - Virat Kohli has put on a show tonight, despite other batters failing around him. This shows why class is permanent.

Virat Kohli hits straight into the hands of Shubman Gill but the batter is not happy that was given out. He asks for a review and replays show that Gill has grassed it. Just like Cox earlier, Kohli gets the same fate.

RCB are few runs away from doing a 'PSG'! The Bengaluru side have been superb right throughout this final. From their bowling and the batting, the holders have not put their foot down. Shubman Gill wears a pensive look, a face of a captain that knows defeat is around the corner.

Virat Kohli hits the winning runs! The crowd get their money's worth as the man whom they came to watch, has delivered on the biggest stage. Back-to-back titles for RCB as they beat GT by five wickets.

 I said to a few of the boys that there doesn't seem to be the same kind of pressure that was there last year. Composure of the guys shone through tonight. After the break we had a couple of losses but we wanted to finish top. The win against MI gave us a lot of confidence. Just to have a group of guys where you don't feel that you are the only guy who has step up for the team is amazing.

There's no doubt about it, everything is special. It's like having kids, winning IPL titles is also hard to achieve, so everything feels special to me. A lot of credit goes to the support staff: Mo Bobat, Andy Flower, DK, Malolan. Half of the win is in the auction and we did a good job, I'm glad we went back-to-back for the trophies. 18 years of waiting, back-to-back trophies, it's special and the supporters have been behind us. Also to Virat Kohli, waited 18 years and now winning two titles on the back.

Like Mo said before, we're not defending, we're attacking and chasing something. The mindset was not to defend the title. Credit to the management, the way they nourished us, the way they backed me when I wasn't performing. This gives you plenty of assurance; you know they will back you and you want to give back something. Hopefully, we will get a third title.

It's stuff that you dream of. Thought of this moment many times, to win the IPL and stand here. The kind of team you gives you the confidence to see off any kind of situation. Such is the demand of the sport today. You have these young players pushing you hard and asking you to get better. You need to get those 20-30 runs extra. I had to change my mindset, not so much by game, to get those runs. Tha target was to finish top of the table. A lot of people asked who we would prefer to play in the play. But we didn't care of the jersey in front of us. We are a professional group. They probably looked to get me out early but I had the confidence that even if I get out there is enough depth in the side to pull it off. There was total clarity and both of us wanted to strike. We had small targets in mind. Credit to Venkatesh as well. Stepped in and did a beautiful job. I always say that we don't have just 7 home games we have 14. GT are the home team here but probably 90% are RCB fans.

The Indian starlet bags Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season, Super Sixes of the Season.

Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walks away with the Orange Cap (776 runs in the season) and Kagiso Rabada wins the Purple Cap with 19 wickets.

It feels good but I feel a bit under pressure having to give the interview. Sir, I am not drinking milk nowadays. How to play each game, you can't play every game the same way. If I have to stay injury free I have to work on my fitness. Everyone is very supportive. All senior players, support staff, everyone backs me and it's a good atmosphere.

 If we would have got close to 180-190, it would have been a good match. First three four overs there is some movement for the fast bowlers and we lost momentum after losing a couple of early wickets. We gave away 15-20 runs in the powerplay. I think we were one of the best bowling sides in the tournament. After losing the first couple of games we came back. Very happy. We couldn't get over the line but there would have always been areas to improve even if we won the trophy.

It feels superb. When we came here there was a lot of memories of last year. I don't have words to express but feeling very good. It was clear planning. When we win the toss, it was easy to chase. The way Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh, KP Suyash and Shepherd, they bowled really well throughout the tournament. I never dreamt of becoming the captain of RCB and lifting the trophy. I think it was written. Grateful for that. We were slightly more confident than last year. Everywhere it felt like a home ground for us with the fans coming in. The pre tournament prep was very good for me. I tried to analyze which shots are good for me. I got so many inputs from DK, which were helpful for me. He is always there for the team. This one is for you again, RCB fans. Ee Sala nu Cup Namdu.