Kohli leads RCB to second straight IPL title with five-wicket win over Gujarat
The Story
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 75 to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League final on Sunday. The win gives RCB back-to-back IPL titles for the first time. Chasing 156, RCB reached their target with 12 balls to spare in Ahmedabad. Kohli’s innings included nine fours and three sixes, and he shared key partnerships of 62 with Venkatesh Iyer and 41 with Tim David. Bowlers Rasikh Salam Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood earlier restricted Gujarat to 155 for eight. Kohli said after the match that RCB were the “best team in the competition” and praised a “clinical performance.”
Key Facts
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL final.
- Virat Kohli was not out on 75, hitting nine fours and three sixes.
- RCB chased the target of 156 with 12 balls to spare.
- Rasikh Salam Dar took three wickets for 27 runs.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood each took two wickets.
- Venkatesh Iyer scored 32 off 16 balls and shared a 62-run opening stand with Kohli.
- Tim David made 24 and shared a 41-run partnership with Kohli.
- Rashid Khan took two wickets for Gujarat Titans, removing Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya.
- Kohli stated RCB were the “best team in the comp” and praised his team’s performance.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified across sources.
Still Unclear
- BBC reports that Kohli’s half-century was his fifth of the season and that the innings was his fastest in the IPL. (Single-source claim)
- BBC reports that Mohammed Siraj dismissed Venkatesh Iyer and Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal. (Single-source claim)
- BBC states Kohli retired from T20 internationals after the 2024 World Cup. (Single-source claim)
- Sky Sports states that Kohli’s half-century (25 balls) was his 68th and fastest in the IPL. (Single-source claim)
- Sky Sports reports that RCB became only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend the title, joining Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. (Single-source claim)
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the sources.
Key Figures
- Virat Kohli (RCB captain, former India captain)
- Venkatesh Iyer (RCB opener)
- Tim David (RCB batter)
- Jitesh Sharma (RCB batter)
- Rajat Patidar (RCB batter)
- Krunal Pandya (RCB batter)
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB bowler)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB bowler)
- Rasikh Salam Dar (RCB bowler)
- Mohammed Siraj (RCB bowler)
- Shubman Gill (GT opener)
- Sai Sudharsan (GT opener)
- Jos Buttler (GT batter)
- Washington Sundar (GT batter)
- Rashid Khan (GT bowler)
- Kagiso Rabada (GT bowler)
- Arshad Khan (GT bowler)
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports
