Virat Kohli hits winning six as RCB wins IPL final

Virat Kohli finally lived the dream he’d imagined countless times. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend smashed the winning six in the IPL final on Sunday, delivering the second title in the franchise’s history and completing a successful title defense against Gujarat Titans. After an unbeaten 75 off 52 balls, Kohli admitted it was one of the purest feelings of his career. “Stuff you dream of,” he said. “Thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run.” The victory capped a season of dominance, with RCB topping the table and showing the depth of a squad built to last.

Kohli’s innings was vintage—controlled yet explosive. He reached his fastest half-century in 19 IPL seasons in just 25 balls, setting the tone early with Venkatesh Iyer. Together, they shattered records, including the fastest team fifty in an IPL final. “I told Venky we need to kill the game in the powerplay,” Kohli said. “There was total clarity.” At 37, he’s still evolving, adapting his approach to stay ahead of younger, fearless players. “Super young players are pushing you to up the ante,” he explained. “I had to change my mindset, not my game, and get extra runs.”

What made this win special was the team, not just the star. Kohli praised RCB’s depth—Josh Hazlewood’s bowling, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience, Jacob Duffy’s control—and called them a “complete side.” “You don’t feel that you are the only guy who has to step up,” he said. RCB’s consistency all season proved decisive. “We topped the table,” Kohli noted. “There’s a reason we got here first. If we stick to our plans, we’re the best team in the competition.”

The crowd’s roar in Ahmedabad spoke volumes. Even on a rival’s home ground, 90% of the fans backed RCB. Kohli thanked them, calling it a home advantage like no other. “We have 14 home games, not seven,” he said. For a franchise that waited 16 years for its first title, this repeat win is more than silverware—it’s proof that patience, belief, and a team built for big moments can rewrite history.