Virat Kohli was integral to RCB’s triumph.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
From going on a barren 17-year run, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is now looking to build a legacy as an IPL powerhouse.
Back-to-back titles have lifted RCB to fourth on the list of the most successful franchises, behind Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders. The power dynamics of Indian T20 cricket are beginning to tilt toward the Garden City.
RCB’s title defence this season was built on assembling the most balanced side in the competition — one with clarity in roles and depth across departments. It was a campaign shaped by collective strength, with several players stepping forward with match-winning performances.
When Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer fired at the top, RCB surged ahead. When they did not, Devdutt Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya found a way. The fast bowlers — Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy and youngster Rasikh Salam — repeatedly shut down chases or set up victories. Krunal added another layer through a slingshot round-arm release and a surprise bouncer to keep the batters guessing. Seen as a whole, this side had answers for every situation.
Rajat Patidar became the third captain after M.S. Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to successfully defend the crown.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
If T20 leadership is often measured by constant intervention, Patidar offered something different. His captaincy was calm and understated.
He rarely looked hurried or flustered, even in tense moments. That composure filtered through the dressing room.
Then there was Kohli, who underlined once again why he remains the heartbeat of the franchise. For the second straight year, Kohli finished as RCB’s highest run-scorer, and this time he did so at a significantly improved strike-rate (165.84 to 144.71).
His unbeaten 75 in the final against Gujarat Titans was an innings of authority and class. As ever, his energy was infectious, all the while maintaining the highest standards. RCB may now be in the Patidar era, but it remains a team deeply shaped by Kohli’s presence.
Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captured the imagination of the cricket fans.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
If Kohli represented the enduring value of the old guard, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi offered a glimpse into the future. The teenager emerged as the feel-good story of IPL 2026.
Sooryavanshi batted with a freedom and confidence that felt extraordinary even by IPL standards, forcing himself into the spotlight through sheer weight of performance. His game was marked not just by clean hitting, but by a sharp match awareness that belied his age.
RCB reaffirmed that titles are built on combined excellence rather than star power alone. At the same time, Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary exploits gave rise to a new hero of the masses. This season truly saw the cream rise to the top.
Published – June 01, 2026 07:12 pm IST
