Virat Kohli credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s depth and balance for their second successive IPL title, saying that for the first time in his long association with the franchise, he no longer feels the pressure of having to do it all on his own.
Kohli starred with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls as RCB chased down Gujarat Titans’ 155 for 8 with ease, sealing a five-wicket victory in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
RCB’s dominance throughout the season culminated in another title-winning campaign, and Kohli said the biggest difference was the confidence the squad had in its collective ability.
“This group means everything. We’ve had to wait a long time for this. What’s special is that when you walk onto the field, you don’t feel like you have to be the one to step up every time. There are players all around you who can win games for the team. We’ve had Man of the Match performances spread across the squad all season. You look at the quality we have – world-class bowlers, players you can always rely on. Rashid was brilliant this season, and the batters all contributed as well,” Kohli said after RCB clinched their second consecutive IPL crown.
IPL 2026 FINAL: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
The 37-year-old once again played the anchor’s role to perfection in the final. After Venkatesh Iyer helped RCB get off to a flying start, Kohli ensured the chase never drifted away despite a brief wobble in the middle overs.
RCB had raced to 70 for 2 in the Powerplay before losing a cluster of wickets. However, Kohli stood firm, brought up his fifth half-century of the season and remained unbeaten till the end, finishing the chase with a six off Arshad Khan.
Reflecting on the campaign, Kohli said this season never carried the same pressure as the previous one because the players trusted the quality within the squad.
“I told a few of the boys that it didn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew the ability we had in this group. We finished on top of the table for a reason and got here first for a reason. We kept saying one thing to ourselves – if we stick to our cricket and execute our plans, we’re the best team in the competition. That’s why we did so well in the league stage and finished on top. The skill sets we have, along with the maturity and composure of the group, came through again tonight. It was a clinical performance, not just tonight but throughout the tournament,” Kohli added.
RCB’s path to the title was not entirely straightforward. The side hit a brief rough patch after the mid-season break, but Kohli said a crucial win over Mumbai Indians reignited belief within the dressing room.
“To be fair, after the break we had a tricky period. We lost a game and then had a close win against MI. That week was important because we wanted to finish on top. Once we got that win against MI, the belief returned. Then we had a comprehensive victory against KKR, finished top of the table and carried that momentum all the way to the final,” he said.
Kohli said the success was ultimately down to the balance and depth that RCB have built over the last two seasons.
“I’m just so happy to be part of a group that has balance, strength and depth. We’re a strong all-round team, and that’s where our confidence comes from. That’s why we’ve been able to achieve what we have,” Kohli further said.
For a player who has often been the face of RCB’s successes and failures over the years, Sunday’s triumph carried a different significance. Kohli once again delivered when it mattered most, but he made it clear that this title was not about one player. It was about a squad that backed itself from the start, topped the league table and completed a dominant campaign with a clinical performance in the final.
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