Kohli inspires RCB to back-to-back IPL titles

Virat Kohli scored 4,188 runs in 117 T20 innings for India at an average of 48.69 between 2010 and 2024 [Reuters]Indian Premier League final, Ahmedabad

>Gujarat Titans 155-8 (20 overs): Washington 50 (37); Dar 3-27

>Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161-5 (18 overs): Kohli 75* (42); Rashid 2-25

>RCB won by five wickets

>Scorecard

>Virat Kohli's imperious unbeaten 75 helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League final which secured back-to-back titles.

>RCB restricted Gujarat to 155-8, a total they chased down with 12 balls to spare after Kohli reached his fifth half-century of the season in a largely one-sided final in Ahmedabad.

>Kohli sealed the win in style - striking the winning runs with a six to cap a magnificent 42-ball innings featuring nine fours and three sixes.

>The 37-year-old India legend then pointed to the stands as RCB's players sprinted out on the field to celebrate.

>Kohli said RCB were the "best team in the comp" and praised a "clinical performance" by his team-mates as the secured their second IPL title having won it for the first time in 18 years in 2025.

>"I said to a few of the boys that it doesn't feel like the same pressure as last year," Kohli said

>"We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There's a reason why we got here first.

>"The skill sets we have, the maturity, the composure of the guys just shone through again."

>RCB's seamers set up the victory as Rasikh Salam Dar stood out with 3-27 in a disciplined attack alongside experienced campaigners Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who both took two wickets each.

>Only Washington Sundar offered much resistance as he scored a defiant 50 not out while England's Jos Buttler was stumped for 19.

King Kohli reigns supremeWith the stadium awash with Kohli's iconic number 18 shirts, the former India captain delivered once again on the biggest stage.

>He may turn 38 later this year but a player famed for his ability to master a chase shows there is plenty left in the tank as he chalked up his fastest IPL half-century.

>Kohli and fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer, who struck 32 from 16 balls, gave RCB the perfect start with a rapid 62-run opening stand.

>Mohammed Siraj made the breakthrough by dismissing Iyer, before Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal to give Gujarat with an opening.

>Rashid Khan then swung momentum further in the Titans' favour, claiming two wickets in an over as captain Rajat Patidar fell for 15 and Krunal Pandya followed soon after.

>But Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals after the 2024 World Cup, remained stoic, as he shared a crucial 41-run partnership with Tim David to steady the chase.

>David made 24 before departing, which left Kohli to guide RCB home alongside Jitesh Sharma.

>Kohli even provided the iconic ending the majority of those inside the stadium craved as he crashed Arshad Khan over long-on for six.

>"I feel so happy to play in a group where we have balance, we have strength," Kohli added.

>"We are an all-round strong team. And that's why we have the confidence we have on the field right now."

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