Kohli’s Masterclass Seals Bengaluru’s Back-to-Back IPL Titles
AHMEDABAD – Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their Indian Premier League (IPL) crown with a commanding five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Spearheaded by an explosive innings from veteran Virat Kohli, Bengaluru chased down a target of 156 in just 18 overs, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
After lifting their maiden IPL trophy last year to end a 17-season title drought, Bengaluru continued their impressive form this season. Their disciplined bowling restricted Gujarat to a modest 155 for 8, as the Titans struggled to establish a strong foundation at the start of their innings. Notably, Gujarat’s top performers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were dismissed early during the powerplay, leaving their team in a precarious position.
Bengaluru’s bowling attack was both economical and incisive, with none of the bowlers conceding more than 10 runs per over. Rasikh Dar led the charge with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood contributed with two wickets each, ensuring the opposition could not build momentum. Washington Sundar provided some resistance for Gujarat with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls but lacked sufficient support from his teammates.
In response, Bengaluru cruised to the target with confidence. An aggressive start from Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, who scored 32 runs off 16 balls, laid a solid foundation with 70 runs posted for the loss of just two wickets in the powerplay. Kohli then took full control of the innings, delivering a masterclass performance as he finished unbeaten on 75 runs from 42 deliveries.
The Indian batting maestro, nicknamed the “chase master,” lit up the proceedings with three sixes and nine fours during his knock. His half-century milestone was his fastest in IPL history, marking his 68th fifty and overall tally moving to nine centuries across the tournament, underscoring his status as one of the competition’s premier batsmen.
The victory not only reflects Bengaluru’s depth and resilience as a team but also highlights Kohli’s continued impact in T20 cricket. Fans and analysts alike praised the team’s balanced performance, combining tactical bowling and aggressive batting to secure their second successive IPL title.
With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have cemented their place at the summit of Indian domestic cricket, setting a high benchmark for upcoming seasons. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will look to regroup and strengthen ahead of the next campaign.