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Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte

Verma Matteo · · 4 min read

A Historic Defense of the Crown

In a display of sheer dominance, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have etched their names into the history books by becoming only the third team in the history of the Indian Premier League to secure consecutive championships. Following their successful 2025 campaign, Rajat Patidar led his side to glory once again at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the very venue where they claimed their previous title. The victory over the Gujarat Titans was clinical, proving that this RCB squad is the benchmark for modern T20 excellence.

The Final Showdown

The match began with a strategic masterstroke from captain Rajat Patidar, who won the toss and elected to bowl first on a surface that offered assistance to the seamers. The decision proved to be inspired almost immediately. The Titans’ formidable opening duo, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, were dismantled during the powerplay, putting the batting side on the back foot early on.

The Gujarat Titans struggled to regain momentum despite a resilient fifty from Washington Sundar. The RCB bowling attack was relentless, led by the precision of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who claimed two wickets each, and the masterful Rasikh Salam, who finished with an impressive three-wicket haul. Restricted to 155, the Titans had a mountain to climb against an RCB batting order in peak form.

Kohli’s Masterclass

Chasing a target of 156, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru approached the task with an aggressive intent. The opening partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli set the tone, putting up 62 runs in just 4.5 overs. This blistering start effectively neutralized the required run rate, which dipped below six runs per over by the end of the powerplay. Even as wickets tumbled at the other end, Virat Kohli showcased his legendary temperament, anchoring the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten 75 to guide his team across the finish line.

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Global Icons Join the Celebration

The triumph of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru transcended the boundaries of cricket, capturing the attention of global sporting icons. It was a heartwarming moment for fans when Shubman Gill and Harry Kane congratulate RCB with special Instagram stories afte the final whistle. Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill displayed true sportsmanship, posting, “Played bold, well deserved @royalchallengers.bengaluru” on his Instagram story.

Adding to the global accolades was England football captain and Bayern Munich star, Harry Kane. Known for his close friendship with Virat Kohli and his appreciation for the game, Kane took to social media to celebrate the victory. He posted, “What a player and what a knock @virat.kohli! Congrats @royalchallengers.bengaluru for making it back-to-back IPL titles.”

Reflections on a Dominant Season

The accolades continued to pour in from within the fraternity as well. Former RCB captain Faf du Plessis, who led the franchise from 2022 to 2024, shared his excitement on X. “Wow. Called it before the IPL… back to back champions !!! Congratulations to @imVkohli, @rrjjt_01, Mo Bobat, Andy Flower and the entire @RCBTweets team,” du Plessis wrote. He highlighted how the team had functioned as the most complete unit in the tournament from the very first day, citing their consistency and clinical approach as the keys to their back-to-back success.

This second consecutive trophy marks a golden era for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With a perfect blend of experienced veterans like Kohli and emerging leadership under Rajat Patidar, the franchise has solidified its status as a global brand in the sporting world. As the celebrations die down, the focus will eventually shift to the future, but for now, the city of Bengaluru and its fans worldwide can revel in the glory of a team that has truly mastered the art of winning.

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Verma Matteo

Matteo Verma is a cricket journalist specializing in IPL news, live match updates, and breaking cricket stories. He focuses on delivering fast and accurate coverage of ongoing matches and player developments.