Ahmedabad: Kumar Mangalam Birla expressed immense pride in Royal Challengers Bengaluru after their second consecutive Indian Premier League triumph, boldly predicting a potential hat-trick of titles in the upcoming season.
RCB secured the 2026 IPL title with a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, successfully chasing down a target of 156 with two overs to spare. The win cemented their status as one of the most dominant teams in recent IPL history.
Birla praises team unity and performance
Speaking after the final, Birla lauded the team’s cohesion and spirit, highlighting the rare chemistry within the squad.
“It’s a great team. They worked seamlessly together. It is very rare to see such a bonded team. I think there would be a hat-trick next year,” Birla said.
His comments reflect the confidence within the franchise following back-to-back titles, a feat achieved by only a select few teams in the tournament’s history.
With this victory, RCB joined Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the only franchises to have successfully defended their IPL crown.
Gujarat Titans remain proud despite defeat
Despite the loss, Gujarat Titans’ management remained positive about their team’s performance. Chief Operating Officer Arvinder Singh commended the players for their fighting spirit.
“It was a pretty interesting match. What is more important is that despite scoring fewer runs, our team put its heart out there and gave its best on the field. We are very proud of them,” he said.
The Titans showed resilience during the match but ultimately fell short against a well-rounded RCB side.
Bowlers set up the win for RCB
RCB’s victory was built on a disciplined bowling performance that restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs.
Rasikh Salam Dar led the attack with an impressive 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered 2/29 and Josh Hazlewood picked up 2/37. Their consistent wicket-taking prevented GT from building any significant partnerships.
For Gujarat Titans, Washington Sundar top-scored with an unbeaten 50, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20. However, the rest of the batting line-up struggled to accelerate.
Kohli anchors chase under pressure
In response, RCB got off to a strong start with a 62-run opening partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32) and Virat Kohli.
Although Gujarat Titans mounted a brief comeback by reducing RCB to 132/5, Kohli’s composure ensured there were no further setbacks. He remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes, to guide RCB home comfortably.
His innings once again highlighted his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and anchor crucial chases.
RCB’s dominance backed by strong leadership
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB displayed consistency, composure, and tactical clarity throughout the tournament.
The team’s balanced combination of experienced players and emerging talent, along with strong support from the management, played a crucial role in their successful title defence.
RCB’s achievement also marks their fourth major franchise title overall, including two Women’s Premier League (WPL) trophies, further establishing the franchise as a powerhouse in Indian cricket.
Conclusion
Kumar Mangalam Birla’s confident prediction of a hat-trick reflects the belief and momentum within the RCB camp. With back-to-back titles secured and a well-balanced squad in place, the team appears poised to continue its dominance in the IPL.
While achieving a third consecutive title will be a formidable challenge, RCB’s current form, leadership, and unity make them strong contenders to script yet another historic season.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)