Kohli: ‘It was a clinical performance’ as RCB Defend IPL Title
A Dominant Display in the IPL 2026 Final
The landscape of the Indian Premier League has witnessed a shift in power, and it now firmly resides with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. By defeating the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a high-stakes final, RCB successfully defended their title, cementing their legacy as the most dominant outfit in recent memory. For the players and the passionate fanbase alike, this victory was not merely about talent, but about the execution of a collective vision.
Virat Kohli: A Masterclass in Confidence
At the heart of the celebrations, Virat Kohli spoke with immense pride about the transformation of the group. Reflecting on the campaign, Kohli: ‘It was a clinical performance’ from his teammates, highlighting that the internal belief within the squad never wavered, even during the trickier phases of the tournament.
“I said to a few other boys that it doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group,” Kohli remarked. “We topped the table. There’s a reason why we got here first and we just said one thing: if we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the comp.”
Kohli emphasized that the maturity shown by the squad was the deciding factor. “The composure of the guys just shone through again tonight. It’s been amazing. I mean, we had to wait for so long and then to have a group of guys where you feel like when you are stepping on to the ground, you don’t need to be the one to step up every time. There is a guy behind you, around you, who can win games of cricket for you.”
Building a Balanced Championship Squad
The former captain was quick to laud the collective effort of the bowling attack and the middle-order depth. He noted that the squad’s balance was their greatest strength throughout the season. “You look at world-class bowling, like Hoff, Bhuv, Duff, and Krunal Pandya; you can bank on him as good as ever. Rasik Dar was brilliant this season. And all the batsmen chipped in as well. I feel so happy to be playing in a group where we have balance, we have strength and we are an all-round strong team.”
Krunal Pandya on the Joy of Consecutive Titles
For veteran all-rounder Krunal Pandya, this trophy carries a unique weight, marking a significant chapter in his career. Discussing the difficulty of winning back-to-back titles, he expressed deep gratitude toward the support staff who laid the groundwork during the auction phase.
“There’s no doubt about it, every IPL trophy is special. It’s like having kids, you can’t pick one,” Pandya said. “I’m grateful that in 11 years, to have five trophies, it’s been special for me. A lot of credit goes to the support staff—Mo Babat, Andy Flower, Dinesh Karthik, and Malolan Rangarajan. The way they prepared for the auction also last year and the way they set the team—the balance of it—you win half the battle in the auction and they did a pretty good job.”
A Legacy for the Fans
The victory serves as a poignant moment for the RCB faithful, who supported the franchise through years of heartbreak before this recent golden era. Pandya dedicated the win to the supporters, acknowledging the long wait that finally ended in the 18th and 19th seasons.
“All this wait of 18 years and then winning back-to-back trophies, this is for the RCB fans—wherever we have gone, they have supported us,” he added. With two titles in two years, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have officially entered a new dynasty, proving that their clinical approach to the game is the gold standard for T20 cricket in India.
