Cricket Fraternity Hails RCB’s Successful IPL Title Defence

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful defense of the Indian Premier League (IPL) title has garnered praise from across the cricket world, with many former and current players congratulating the franchise on its historic achievement.

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar praised RCB’s success and said that the challenge before the team is no longer to prove that they can win a title but to sustain success.

“Congratulations @RCBTweets on winning consecutive IPL titles. One of the challenges in sport is that success changes the questions you have to answer. Once you win, the task is no longer to prove you can do it, but to prove you can sustain it. RCB have met the challenge impressively this season. A well-deserved achievement!” Tendulkar shared a post on X.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla also congratulated the team and praised Virat Kohli for stepping onto the big stage.

“Congratulations to @RCBTweets and Rajat Patidar for winning IPL 2026 and becoming back-to-back champions. Virat Kohli has once again shown his immense class on the big stage. A thoroughly deserved victory based on consistency, character and outstanding teamwork throughout the season,” he wrote.

Former RCB captain Faf du Plessis said he predicted the title victory before the season started.

“Wow. I called for this before the IPL… back-to-back champions! Congratulations to Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Mo Bobat, Andy Flower and the entire RCB team. From day one, this looked like the most complete team in the competition. Consistent, clinical and deserving champions,” he shared.

Even bitter rivals Chennai Super Kings acknowledged RCB’s success and welcomed them into the special teams club that defended the IPL title.

“It’s always a special feeling to win back to back. Congratulations RCB and welcome to the club,” CSK said.

Former RCB star AB de Villiers kept it short and wrote: “So Saala… 2x Naamdu.”

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted how RCB have transformed after ending their title drought in 2025.

“RCB RCB. Sher ko khoon mooh lag gaya hai. Champion,” Pathan shared.

He also praised Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 in the final, praising the batsman’s adaptability and ability to nail the chase under pressure.

Former India batsman Suresh Raina praised RCB’s campaign and skipper Rajat Patidar’s leadership.

“It was great once, they did it twice. What a great campaign from the ‘Attack Champions’ RCB. A near-perfect campaign and the trophy is in the right hands of skipper Rajat Patidar. We owe a special thanks to Virat Kohli for this knock,” Raina wrote.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also congratulated the series.

“Huge congratulations to RCB. Back to back. Winning with style. Domination continues. You deserve it, Chase Master Kohli,” he posted.

Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop described RCB as a “well-structured team” that can handle all situations.

“Congratulations to RCB on back-to-back IPL titles. Really well-built team for all occasions. Very popular victory,” Bishop wrote.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan praised skipper Rajat Patidar for joining the elite list of captains to win back-to-back IPL titles.

“Back-to-back IPL titles is a remarkable achievement. Rajat Patidar should be proud to join an elite team of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as captains to win consecutive titles. Virat Kohli is on his own, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the bowling attack superbly and the entire team finds success when it matters most. Congratulations RCB,” Dhawan said.

RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 as RCB secured their second successive IPL title by posting 156 with two overs remaining.