Ahmedabad. In the high-voltage final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) once again proved why they are considered the most dangerous team of this era. On Sunday, Bengaluru gave a crushing defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in the title match played at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this resounding victory, RCB has captured the glittering IPL trophy for the second consecutive time.
With this historic feat, Bengaluru has now become only the third team in IPL history after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to win the title twice consecutively. This dominance of RCB in this tough tournament that lasted for about one and a half months did not come without reason. Behind the scenes, a well-thought-out strategy by head coach Andy Flower, support staff and management worked. Let us know the 5 big reasons for this title reign of RCB, which snatched the victory from the mouth of Gujarat Titans.
1. Aggression was made ‘success mantra’
Under the leadership of management and head coach Andy Flower, RCB wrote a new definition this season. The team made ‘Attack’ its biggest weapon. This aggressive thinking was clearly visible not only on paper, but on the field in all three departments – batting, bowling and fielding. Captain Rajat Patidar himself led this thinking from the front, the effect of which was also visible in the performance of the most junior and uncapped players of the team. The same fearless approach with which RCB started the mega tournament, they also ended the final with the same approach and this approach became the biggest foundation of their victory.
2. ‘Virat’ performance of King Kohli and top order
The second biggest strength of RCB’s title win was its top order, which never left the formula of ‘attack is the best policy’. However, there were some changes regarding Virat Kohli’s partner in the opening. First, when Bithell’s form deteriorated, Phil Salt got a chance, and when Salt’s bat calmed down, the management played a masterstroke at the right time by making Venkatesh Iyer the opener.
Veteran batsman Virat Kohli scored the maximum 675 runs for the team in 16 matches at an excellent average of 56.26, scoring one century and 5 half-centuries. At the same time, Venkatesh Iyer, who changed the game in slog overs, scored 209 runs at an average of 52.25 in just 6 innings of 7 matches. Apart from this, Devdutt Padikkal also showed consistency and strengthened the middle order by scoring 464 runs in 16 matches at an average of 33.14.
3. Captain Rajat Patidar’s leadership from the front
If Virat Kohli was the boss of the team in terms of runs, then Rajat Patidar proved to be the backbone of this team in terms of captaincy and middle order. Patidar’s stormy style while batting at number-4 and his wise captaincy on the field never gave the opposing teams a chance to recover. Patidar was among the few captains this season who crossed the 500-run mark. He scored 501 runs in 15 matches at an average of 35.78, which included 5 half-centuries. The most important thing was his strike rate of 192.69, which was the sixth best strike rate in this tournament.
4. Magical spell of 37 year old Bhuvneshwar Kumar
There is a saying in cricket that batsmen win you matches but bowlers win you tournaments. 37-year-old experienced Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved to be the ‘golden arm’ for RCB this season. Whenever captain Patidar put the ball in Bhuvi’s hands in times of crisis, he took wickets. Bhuvneshwar played the same role in bowling as Virat played in batting. Bhuvi bowled 63 overs in 16 matches and took a total of 28 wickets and was the second most successful bowler of the season in the Purple Cap race.
5. Krunal Pandya’s all-round show and Rasikh Salaam’s support
While Rajat Patidar was scoring runs in the middle order, all-rounder Krunal Pandya supported him well with both ball and bat. This season can be called the best season of Krunal’s IPL career. While batting, he scored 226 runs in 9 innings at an average of 37.66, while being very economical in bowling, he also took 14 wickets in 50.3 overs. Krunal’s economy rate (8.41) was the best in the team. Along with this, Jammu and Kashmir’s young sensation Rasikh Salam supported Bhuvneshwar well and contributed significantly to RCB’s title win by taking 19 wickets in 12 matches.
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