Never had there been an IPL final that was so required to win. On May 31, 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrived to Narendra Modi Stadium with a special task at hand, four years after their maiden title triumph; no one in the history of this franchise had ever managed to win back-to-back titles. But standing in their way was Gujarat Titans, such a clinical side through the tournament and the team RCC had lost to once already during the league phase. Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard: Inning-by-inning, over-by-over breakdown of how the night panned out
Match Summary
If that night anyone searches for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scoreboard, he would find a single headline saying RCB won by 5 wickets (with 12 balls to spare) chasing 156 in only 18 overs. Virat Kohli was awarded Player of the Match for his 75 not out off 42 balls, which also included scoring the fastest fifty of his IPL career in a match that is played on the biggest stage.
This is the brief before we get into detail of Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard.
| Detail | Information |
| Match | Final, IPL 2026 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Toss | RCB won, elected to bowl |
| Result | RCB won by 5 wickets (12 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Virat Kohli (75* off 42) |
Gujarat Titans Innings: 155/8 in 20 Overs
The first innings of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard is explained here. Gujarat Titans were the first to bat and never really got going like they did in other outings this tournament. RCB’s new-ball bowlers had kept things tight early, and the middle order never turned free enough to get anywhere near what most expected from a side that had been enjoying run-fests all season long.
He was the only bright point as Washington Sundar made 50 off 37 balls to hold the innings with wickets tumbling around him. Besides Nishant Sindhu and Jos Buttler, there was no partnership which worked for long enough to create the momentum.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Washington Sundar (not out) | 50 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 135.14 |
| Nishant Sindhu | 20 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 111.11 |
| Jos Buttler | 19 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 82.61 |
| Arshad Khan | 15 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 250.00 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Rahul Tewatia | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Jason Holder | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Rashid Khan | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 233.33 |
For the bowling department, Rasikh Salam was an effective performer and he charted out figures of 3 for 27 to break Gujarat’s innings multiple times. RCB’s four main bowlers all took a wicket each, with Gujarat’s batters rarely allowed to settle.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Rasikh Salam | 4 | 27 | 3 | 6.75 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 37 | 2 | 9.25 |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 38 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Krunal Pandya | 4 | 23 | 1 | 5.75 |
Also Read: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Match Scorecard | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Match Scorecard
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings : 161 / 5 in 18 Overs
RCB, however, chasing 156 knew the pressure was on them and Virat Kohli made sure it always looked like they were in complete control. He carved through the innings from the initial over and picked up pace as required finishing on an unbeaten 75 runs off just 42 balls, that contained nine fours and three sixes.
It’s this part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard that’s telling the true story of the final. Kohli reached his fifty in a mere 25 balls, the fastest of his IPL career and hardly allowed Gujarat bowlers to settle into any rhythm.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Virat Kohli (not out) | 75 | 42 | 9 | 3 | 178.57 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Tim David | 24 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 141.17 |
| Rajat Patidar (c) | 15 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 115.38 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Krunal Pandya | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
RCB did suffer a cluster of wickets in the middle overs, losing Iyer, Padikkal and Patidar along with Krunal Pandya all within nine overs, while Kohli had added 41 runs for the fifth wicket only Tim David’s dismissal left RCB at 132/5. However, once set, Kohli’s mode of panic proofing at the other end meant that the chase never looked truly in danger.
Gujarat’s bowling assault made sure it was all hard work for the Axar Patel-led side during the second half of the innings. Rashid Khan also ended with 2 for 25, while Arshad Khan taking yet another wkt but no one else could contain the runs scored by Kohli.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 25 | 2 |
| Kagiso Rabada | — | — | 1 |
| Arshad Khan | 4 | 32 | 1 |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 38 | 0 |
How the Match Turned
Each match scorecard of the tournament fought a battle to different flavours every Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard, but this relied on two aspects: one, disciplined bowling in the first innings, and second, one batting masterpiece in the second.
Rasikh Salam (3-wicket haul) made sure Gujarat’s top order never got any time to breathe against RCB’s attack. Both Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, potential match-winners at the top, were dismissed cheaply as Washington Sundar had to almost start from zero in a middle order threatened with collapse.
Batting first, almost overwhelmed to defend back-to-back titles, RCB was pursuing 156. Instead, Kohli produced exactly the innings his team needed, easing the run chase nicely before wrapping up with a six over long-on in the 18th over.
Head-to-Head Context: RCB vs GT in IPL 2026
These two sides had also faced each other earlier in the season, not just when this final was staged. Bengaluru had defeated Gujarat Titans in the league stage itself, but that was part of an ordeal that the men in blue would avenge with victory both at Qualifier 1 and again on Sunday. RCB subsequently defeated GT by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 where RCB’s captain Rajat Patidar registered a blistering unbeaten 93 off 33 balls, and capped off the double with victory in the final itself.
| Match | Result | Key Performer |
| 34th League Match (Apr 24) | GT won | Sai Sudharsan (100) |
| 42nd League Match (Apr 30) | GT won | Washington Sundar (bowling), Jos Buttler |
| Qualifier 1 (May 26) | RCB won by 92 runs | Rajat Patidar (93* off 33) |
| Final (May 31) | RCB won by 5 wickets | Virat Kohli (75* off 42) |
In terms of the end-of-day Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard throughout IPL 2026, these were among the stickiest encounters in their rivalry, with ups and downs throughout before RCB were able to win on the two key occasions.
Why This Final Mattered
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard had real history behind the numbers on the scorecard. RCB followed Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the only third franchise to win back-to-back titles in IPL. That was the case for Kohli personally as the victory delivered a second IPL trophy to his collection and then, in something of an emotional bonus, for providing an innings in spirit dedicated to a city still rattled by the 2025 Bengaluru crowd crush. After the match, captain Rajat Patidar said, “The victory is dedicated to the victims.”
The defeat is a bitter taste for Gujarat Titans after they were at the top of their game throughout the league stage but reaching to final for the second time in succession justified their claims as one of the most consistent modern sides in IPL history. The manner in which the contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans unfolded underscores just how marginally RCB were on top when it mattered most, but every detail in this match scorecard brings out how evenly matched the two sides.
Also Read: India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Australia Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Conclusion
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans match scorecard makes eye-popping reading for one incontrovertible reason: With pressure at its most boiling point, Virat Kohli logged his fastest IPL fifty and closed the deal himself. Gujarat Titans battled bravely and will have opportunities to regain superiority in one of the next seasons, but on a night where back-to-back champions were determined, it was RCB who conquered both with bat and ball.
FAQs About Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard
1. Who was Player of the Match?
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (Unbeaten 75 off 42 balls)
2. Who were the top bowlers?
Rasikh Salam picked 3/27 for RCB and Rashid Khan with the ball for GT, took 2/25.
3. How many times did RCB vs GT face each other in IPL 2026?
GT and RCB also faced off in 4 matches, with the former winning both of their league encounters against the latter while RCB turned things around to win Qualifier 1 and then claim victory once again in the Final.
4. Why was the final so historically significant?
This made RCB only the third IPL franchise to win two consecutive titles, joining powerhouse franchises CSK and Mumbai Indians.
5. Did Virat Kohli win the match for RCB?
Yes. Not out on 75, he hit the winning six off Chandimal in the 18th over.
