Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back final run: The IPL sequel nobody saw coming
They finished top of the points table and became the first team to feature in the IPL 2026 final.
For a team defined for years by near misses, the 2026 season has been about control. RCB, under skipper Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower, looked like the most balanced team of the tournament. They combined explosive batting with an experienced bowling attack and rarely lost momentum for long periods.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Purple Cap Race: Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads as RCB reaches final, Qualifier 2 decides final contender; Check full list
Quick start sets the tone
RCB started their title defense with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad and quickly established themselves at the top of the table. Victories against traditional rivals such as Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders strengthened their position in the rankings as the season progressed.
There were no disruptions in the campaign. Defeats against the likes of Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad exposed the weak points in the middle stage of the tournament and briefly raised questions about their play-off push. But unlike previous seasons, RCB responded quickly after defeats and never let a slump derail their campaign.
Kohli uses Patidar and Padikkal batting unit
A big part of RCB’s success revolved around Virat Kohli, who once again provided stability at the top of the order. The former skipper was among the leading run scorers in the series with 600 runs in 15 matches and remained the batting mainstay around which the rest of the squad operated.Also Read: IPL 2026 final – Aggressive RCB look to tame sturdy GT in quest for second consecutive title
Besides him, Devdutt Padikkal also had one of the most productive IPL seasons. The left-hander scored 463 points in 15 games and provided momentum in both the power play and middle games. Their partnership with Kohli has become one of RCB’s greatest strengths through the campaign.
Skipper Rajat Patidar added aggression to the top order as he scored 486 runs in 14 matches at a rate that put him among the most dangerous batsmen of the tournament. His season peaked in Qualifier 1, where he made an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls against Gujarat Titans; It was an innings that featured nine sixes and just one dot ball.
The middle row provides the finishing blow
RCB’s middle order provided the finishing power that the franchise had often lacked in previous seasons. Tim David became one of the team’s most effective finishers, scoring 281 points in 15 matches while crossing boundaries 22 times throughout the season.
Jitesh Sharma and Krunal Pandya added depth and flexibility to the batting order, allowing RCB to maintain a high scoring rate even after losing wickets. The team’s batting prowess was reflected in several huge totals, including 240/4 against Mumbai Indians and a play-off record 255/5 against Gujarat Titans.
Unlike previous seasons where RCB were heavily reliant on a few star names, contributions came from throughout the batting line-up, making them one of the most difficult sides to contain.
Bowlers became RCB’s biggest weapon
If the batting laid the foundation, the bowling attack turned RCB into genuine title contenders. Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar spent most of the season among the leading wicket-takers and entered the final stages of the tournament firmly in the race for the Purple Cap with 26 scalps in 15 matches.
Josh Hazlewood once again made breakthroughs at critical moments, while Jacob Duffy maintained control in the middle and death overs. Rasikh Salam also emerged as a key contributor, including the double-wicket haul that effectively ended Gujarat Titans’ chase in Qualifiers 1 before they could gain momentum.
The balance of experience and variety allowed RCB to defend totals consistently; This was something that was often a weak point of the series in previous seasons.
Qualifier 1 declaration sends RCB to final
The defining moment of RCB’s season came against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Facing one of the strongest teams in the tournament, Bengaluru produced their most complete performance of the campaign.
Patidar’s unbeaten 93 in 33 balls lifted RCB to 255/5; this is the highest total ever recorded in an IPL playoff match. Kohli and Padikkal also set the platform with an explosive start as Bengaluru recorded their highest ever play-off powerplay score.
The bowlers then dismantled Gujarat’s batting line-up, leaving them for 162 and sealing a dominant 92-run victory to book a direct place in the final.
One win away from history
This performance summed up RCB’s campaign. Kohli’s consistency, Padikkal’s resurgence, Patidar’s leadership, Tim David’s finishing and disciplined bowling attack have helped Bengaluru emerge as the most balanced side in IPL 2026.
Now with another final awaiting them against Gujarat Titans, RCB are one win away from becoming the third team in IPL history to successfully defend their title. Last season was about to end the 18-year wait. This season offers them the opportunity to establish an era.
