Virat Kohli was over the moon as he hit the winning runs against Gujarat Titans (GT)in the final of IPL 2026 on Sunday (May 31) to take Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)to their second consecutive IPL title.
After not winning a single title in the first 17 years of the IPL, RCB now have two in two years, thanks to a well-oiled unit that exceeded expectations. Virat, 37, credited Venkatesh Iyer for RCB’s success in the last three to four games and playing a key role in helping RCB defend their title.
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“Told Venky [Venkatesh Iyer] we need to kill the game in the powerplay. There was total clarity. We had small targets and played free cricket. His intent was the difference-maker in the last three to four games,” said Virat Kohli while collecting his Player of the Match (POTM) award in the final.
Chasing 156 to win, Venkatesh Iyer got RCB off to a flyer. He marched to 32 off just 16 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and two sixes. The southpaw batted at a strike rate of 200.00 and took the pressure off Virat, allowing him to pace his innings how he wanted.
Iyer’s quick blitz took the Gujarat Titans’ bowlers by complete surprise as they were pushed on the back foot. After warming the bench initially, Iyer was included in the XI following a finger injury to Phil Salt.
Iyer finished IPL 2026 with 209 runs in six innings at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 186.60, including a fifty.
Virat Kohli realises his dream
In the post-match presentation after the final, Kohli revealed that it was his dream to hit the winning runs in an IPL final and take RCB over the line. The right-hander realised his dream against GT when he smoked left-arm seamer Arshad Khan over long-on for a six to help RCB lift their second IPL title.
“Stuff you dream of. Thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run. Felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through. Knew exactly what to do in the chase,” Virat said while collecting the POTM trophy.
