Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte their historic IPL 2026 title win
A Dynasty Cemented in Ahmedabad
In a display of pure cricketing excellence, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have officially etched their names into the history books. By defeating the Gujarat Titans in the 2026 IPL final, RCB has become only the third team in the storied history of the league to secure back-to-back championships. The setting was poetic, as Rajat Patidar’s men defended their crown on the very same turf in Ahmedabad where they hoisted the trophy just one year prior.
The match was a clinical masterclass from the defending champions. After winning the toss and electing to field on a surface that offered assistance to the seamers, RCB’s bowlers wasted no time. The Gujarat Titans, boasting a powerful batting lineup, were rocked early as their prolific opening pair of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill were dismissed within the powerplay. The pressure never relented, and despite a gutsy fifty from Washington Sundar, the Titans were restricted to a modest total of 155.
The Chase and Virat Kohli‘s Masterclass
Chasing 156 for glory, RCB’s approach was aggressive and purposeful. Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli provided an explosive start, putting up 62 runs in just four-and-a-half overs. By the time the powerplay concluded, the required run rate had plummeted, allowing the RCB batters to dictate terms. While wickets fell at the other end, Virat Kohli remained the anchor of the innings. His unbeaten 75 ensured the ship stayed steady, guiding the franchise to their second consecutive trophy.
Global Tributes Pour In
The significance of the victory echoed far beyond the boundaries of the stadium. As the celebrations began, sporting icons from across the globe took to social media to acknowledge the achievement. Notably, Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte witnessing the clinical nature of the final. Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill, showing immense grace in defeat, took to Instagram to post, ‘Played bold, well deserved @royalchallengers.bengaluru.’
The praise did not stop with cricketers. Bayern Munich and England football sensation Harry Kane, who has maintained a well-documented friendship and admiration for Virat Kohli, also joined the chorus of applause. Kane shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram: ‘What a player and what a knock @virat.kohli! Congrats @royalchallengers.bengaluru for making it back-to-back IPL titles.’
A Complete Team Effort
The win was a testament to the cultural shift within the RCB camp. Former skipper Faf du Plessis, who led the side through a transformative period between 2022 and 2024, was among the first to celebrate the success on social media. Du Plessis noted that he had predicted this success before the season began, citing the squad’s consistency and clinical approach as the primary factors behind their dominance.
Key performances were scattered across the roster throughout the tournament. In the final itself, the bowling unit led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam ensured that the Gujarat Titans were always on the back foot. With this victory, the management team—including Mo Bobat and Andy Flower—has been credited for building what many are now calling the most complete team in IPL history.
As the curtains close on another spectacular season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand tall as the team to beat. With global support and a winning culture firmly established, the Bengaluru faithful have much to look forward to in the years to come.
