A magnificent unbeaten 75 from cricket icon Virat Kohli brought the curtains down on another thrilling Indian Premier League season as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL final on Sunday. The victory helped RCB secure consecutive IPL titles and become only the third franchise after MS Dhoni‘s Chennai Super Kings and Rohit Sharma‘s Mumbai Indians to achieve the feat.
Kohli Anchors Successful Chase
Chasing a target of 156, RCB reached 156/5 with two overs to spare, thanks largely to Kohli’s unbeaten knock of 75. The veteran batter once again lived up to his reputation as a master chaser, guiding his team through pressure situations and hitting the winning runs in the summit clash.
His match-winning innings marked yet another milestone in his illustrious cricket career and played a crucial role in delivering RCB’s second IPL title.
RCB Bowlers Restrict Gujarat to 155/8
Earlier, RCB’s disciplined bowling attack put Gujarat Titans under pressure from the outset, restricting them to 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Despite playing in home conditions and aiming for a second IPL crown, Gujarat failed to build substantial partnerships and were unable to post a challenging total.
Strong Opening Stand Sets the Platform
RCB got off to a solid start as Kohli and opener Venkatesh Iyer stitched together a 62-run opening partnership. Gujarat fought back with timely wickets, including those of Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya within crucial phases of the chase.
However, Kohli remained firm at one end, ensuring that the required run rate never spiraled out of control and steering his side to victory.
Kohli Registers Fastest Fifty of the Final
In addition to leading RCB to the title, Kohli recorded the fastest half-century of the final, reaching the milestone in just 25 balls. His aggressive yet controlled batting kept Gujarat’s bowlers under constant pressure throughout the chase.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Wins Orange Cap
One of the biggest stories of the season came from 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals. The teenage sensation finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 776 runs and claimed the prestigious Orange Cap, etching his name into IPL history.
Rabada Claims Purple Cap
Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. The South African fast bowler picked up 29 wickets during the season to secure the Purple Cap.
Patidar Joins Elite Captains’ Club
RCB captain Rajat Patidar also achieved a notable milestone. By leading his team to consecutive IPL titles, he became only the third captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to win back-to-back IPL championships.
A Memorable End to a Spectacular Season
After more than two months of intense competition, breathtaking performances, and numerous records, the IPL concluded on a high note. Kohli’s brilliance, RCB’s teamwork, and several individual achievements ensured that the tournament delivered a fitting finale for cricket fans around the world.