Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Historic Second Consecutive Title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their names into the annals of cricket history by securing their second consecutive title on Sunday. The team showcased a commanding performance, easily defeating the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Rajat Patidar played a pivotal role in ensuring his side’s victory, leading them to a five-wicket win.
Ex-Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin praised his former teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar, naming him as the best choice for the player of the match in the IPL 2026 final. However, the award ultimately went to former RCB captain Virat Kohli, who delivered an unbeaten 75 runs with the bat.
Kumar concluded the tournament with an impressive 28 wickets, narrowly missing out on the purple cap honours, which were awarded to Kagiso Rabada. The South African pacer took 29 wickets from the season and set a new record when he dismissed Devdutt Padikkal for just one run. Bhuvneshwar ended the night with figures of 2/29 from his four overs, taking crucial wickets including Sai Sudharsan for 12 and Jason Holder for seven runs.
After the RCB vs GT final, Ashwin shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, stating, “Bhuvneshwar was the player of the match for me. In fact, he should have also been named the player of the tournament after his amazing season.”
For the record, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named the player of the tournament for his remarkable 776 runs with the bat, which included 72 sixes and a strike rate of 237.
Veteran Seamer Reflects on Missing the Purple Cap
The 36-year-old veteran Indian seamer shared his feelings about missing out on the purple cap by just one wicket. When asked about it after Bengaluru’s victory, he said, “Trophy was more important for us, so I would trade such records to win the title any day. But it was a great season for me personally, and taking wickets does boost your confidence.”
In addition to reflecting on his own performance, Bhuvneshwar praised his fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood. He stated, “Coming into a big game like this, performing well in the previous games does help. Must credit everyone, and it was great that Hazlewood and I complemented each other well.”
Key Highlights from the Final Match
- Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 75, playing a vital role in RCB’s victory.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 28 wickets in the tournament, finishing just one wicket short of the purple cap.
- Kagiso Rabada secured the purple cap with 29 wickets, setting a new record during the final.
- Rajat Patidar led RCB to a comfortable five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.
- Ashwin praised Kumar for his consistent performance throughout the season.
A Season of Excellence
This year’s IPL proved to be a significant milestone for many players. While some were recognized for their individual achievements, others focused on contributing to their team’s success. Bhuvneshwar’s performance highlighted the importance of teamwork and consistency, even when personal milestones were slightly out of reach.
His comments on the value of winning the trophy over individual records reflected a mature perspective. He acknowledged that while personal achievements are important, the ultimate goal is to bring glory to the team. His confidence in his abilities and the support from teammates like Josh Hazlewood further emphasized the strength of RCB’s bowling attack.
As the season comes to an end, players like Bhuvneshwar will look back on their contributions with pride, knowing that they played a key role in their team’s success. The journey to the title was marked by moments of brilliance, resilience, and unity, all of which contributed to RCB’s historic achievement.
