Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended its Indian Premier League (IPL) crown on Sunday, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The victory not only cemented RCB’s place among the league’s elite franchises but also earned the team a massive ₹20 crore winner’s purse from the tournament’s prize pool.

Led by a commanding unbeaten innings from Virat Kohli, RCB chased down Gujarat Titans’ total of 155/8 in just 18 overs, sealing one of the most convincing victories in an IPL final in recent years. The runners-up, Gujarat Titans, received ₹13 crore as prize money for their campaign, which saw them finish second after a strong season.

Kohli Leads From the Front in the Final

The IPL 2026 final revolved around one man once again — Virat Kohli.

The former India captain produced an unbeaten 75 off just 42 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and three sixes during a match-winning knock. His innings ensured that RCB never lost control of the chase despite a few wickets falling at regular intervals. According to match reports, Kohli’s fifty came at a blistering pace and proved decisive in dismantling Gujarat’s bowling attack.

RCB’s chase began aggressively, with Venkatesh Iyer scoring a rapid 32 off 16 balls. Although Devdutt Padikkal departed early and captain Rajat Patidar could not convert his start into a substantial score, Kohli anchored the innings throughout. Tim David and Jitesh Sharma provided support as Bengaluru crossed the finish line with two overs to spare.

The successful chase of 156 runs underlined RCB’s dominance in the final and completed another memorable chapter in the franchise’s IPL journey.

Gujarat Titans Fail to Capitalise After Batting First

After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans struggled to build momentum against a disciplined RCB bowling attack.

Openers Sai Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill failed to make significant contributions, departing early and putting pressure on the middle order. Sudharsan scored 12 while Gill managed just 10 runs before both were dismissed.

Jos Buttler, expected to stabilize the innings, was also unable to accelerate and made 19 from 23 deliveries. The innings was eventually rescued by Washington Sundar, who produced a fighting unbeaten half-century. Sundar’s 50 off 37 balls helped Gujarat reach 155/8 after 20 overs, a total that ultimately proved insufficient on a batting-friendly surface.

RCB’s bowling unit shared the workload effectively. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam Dar delivered crucial breakthroughs at different stages, ensuring Gujarat never established the momentum required in a title clash.

RCB’s Successful Title Defence

The triumph marked another significant achievement for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which entered the final as the defending champion.

RCB had earlier booked its place in the summit clash by defeating Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, demonstrating its consistency throughout the season. The franchise once again showcased its ability to deliver under pressure during the knockout stages, culminating in a comprehensive victory in Ahmedabad.

The win further strengthened RCB’s status as one of the most successful teams in the modern IPL era and rewarded a squad that remained among the most balanced units throughout the 2026 campaign.

IPL 2026 Prize Money Breakdown

Apart from the prestigious trophy, the IPL 2026 finalists competed for one of the biggest prize pools in franchise cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) retained the same reward structure used in recent seasons, with the champions receiving ₹20 crore and the runners-up taking home ₹13 crore. The overall playoff prize pool exceeded ₹46 crore.

The prize-money distribution for the top four teams was as follows:

• Champions (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) — ₹20 crore

• Runners-up (Gujarat Titans) — ₹13 crore

• Third Place (Rajasthan Royals) — ₹7 crore

• Fourth Place (Sunrisers Hyderabad) — ₹6.5 crore

This meant that both finalists were guaranteed substantial payouts before the match even began, with the eventual winner securing an additional ₹7 crore over the runners-up.

Individual Awards Also Carry Significant Rewards

Beyond team prize money, IPL players competing for individual honours were also in line for lucrative rewards.

The Orange Cap winner, awarded to the tournament’s highest run-scorer, and the Purple Cap winner, presented to the leading wicket-taker, traditionally receive cash rewards in addition to the prestigious accolades. Other major honours include the Most Valuable Player award and the Emerging Player of the Season recognition.

One of the most closely contested races this season involved the Purple Cap. Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 29 wickets from 17 matches. He edged past RCB veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who concluded the season with 28 wickets. Rabada’s performances were instrumental in Gujarat’s run to the final and ensured he ended the campaign as the league’s premier bowler.

Financial Growth Reflects IPL’s Expanding Commercial Strength

The IPL continues to be one of the richest sporting leagues in the world, and the 2026 prize structure further highlighted the tournament’s commercial success.

Industry estimates indicate that the playoff rewards alone exceed ₹46.5 crore, while the tournament’s broader ecosystem generates substantial revenues through sponsorships, media rights, ticket sales and merchandising. The winning franchise’s ₹20 crore reward places IPL among the most financially rewarding domestic T20 competitions globally.

League regulations also ensure that a significant portion of the championship winnings is shared with players, adding another layer of incentive for franchises and squads competing for the title.

A Perfect Finish to Another Thrilling IPL Season

The 2026 edition of the IPL delivered everything fans have come to expect from the tournament — high-scoring encounters, dramatic playoff battles, standout individual performances and a gripping title race.

In the end, Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerged as the team to beat. A composed bowling display restricted Gujarat Titans to a manageable total, and Virat Kohli’s masterclass ensured there would be no late drama in the chase.

As the celebrations begin in Bengaluru, RCB not only lifts another IPL trophy but also walks away with ₹20 crore in prize money, while Gujarat Titans can take pride in a campaign that earned them a place in the final and a ₹13 crore reward.

The IPL 2026 season may be over, but its final delivered a fitting showcase of why the tournament remains cricket’s biggest franchise spectacle.

With inputs from agencies

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