Batting superstar Virat Kohli once again led from the front as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second straight IPL title with a 5-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final.
Kohli played a match-winning knock of 75 not out off 42 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. He also brought up his fastest IPL fifty off just 25 balls, guiding RCB through a successful chase of 156. Bengaluru reached 161 for 5 in 18 overs to finish the job comfortably.
RCB had already set the tone earlier with the ball. Gujarat Titans were restricted to 155 for 8 after struggling to build any real partnerships. Rasikh Salam Dar was the standout bowler with 3 for 27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets each to keep GT in check.
GT’s innings never really took off. They lost key wickets inside the powerplay and kept losing momentum throughout. Washington Sundar was the only batter who looked settled, finishing unbeaten on 50, but he didn’t get much support from the other end.
The chase started strongly for RCB with a 62-run opening stand between Venkatesh Iyer and Kohli.Iyer added a quick 32 before getting out, but Kohli continued to control the innings with calm and authority.
In the end, Kohli finished things off in style with a six, sealing another title for RCB and capping off a dominant all-round performance from the team.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 155 for 8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/37, Rasikh Salam 3/27).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 161/5 in 18 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 32, Virat Kohli 75 not out; Rashid Khan 2/25).