Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Chasing 156, RCB got off to a blazing start as Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer added 62 runs in under five overs. Although Gujarat fought back through Rashid Khan, who dismissed Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in the same over, Kohli remained in complete control of the chase.
Kohli anchored the innings with an unbeaten 75, bringing up the fastest fifty of his IPL career, while Tim David chipped in with 24 before Jitesh Sharma joined the star batter to steer Bengaluru to 161 for 5 in 18 overs.
Earlier, RCB’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8. Rasikh Salam starred with figures of 3 for 27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets each.
On Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, we’re telling you that Gujarat’s hopes suffered an early setback as captain Shubman Gill fell for 10 and Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for 12 inside the first three overs.
Washington Sundar offered resistance with an unbeaten half-century, helping Gujarat post a competitive total, but RCB’s all-round strength proved too much in the final.
The victory sees Bengaluru retain the IPL trophy and cap another dominant season with back-to-back championship titles.
