The Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed a historic cricketing spectacle on Sunday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the grand finale of IPL 2026. In a high-stakes encounter that kept millions of fans on the edge of their seats, RCB successfully defended their crown, orchestrating a clinical five-wicket victory to secure consecutive Indian Premier League championships. The triumph solidifies RCB’s status as a modern-day powerhouse, making them only the third franchise in IPL history, joining the elite company of the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to win back-to-back titles.
Chasing a target of 156 after restricting the Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in their 20 overs, RCB’s pursuit was anchored by none other than the legendary Virat Kohli. The maestro put on a masterclass in anchoring a chase, blasting his fastest-ever IPL half-century in just 25 balls. Kohli remained unbeaten on a spectacular 75 off 42 deliveries, a knock punctuated by 9 boundaries and 3 towering sixes, seamlessly guiding his team over the finish line with two overs to spare.
Vijay Mallya celebrates RCB’s historic back-to-back title success with emotional message
The historic victory triggered a massive wave of euphoria across social media platforms, drawing praise from former cricketers, experts, and enthusiasts globally. Among the most notable reactions was a heartfelt, emotional post from the franchise’s former owner, Vijay Mallya. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Mallya expressed his immense pride and joy regarding the team’s monumental accomplishment.
“RCB RCB….Congratulations Double back to back IPL Champions. Namma dodda Simhagulu roared loudly and made us all very proud. Very well done you beauties,” Mallya posted.
RCB RCB….Congratulations Double back to back IPL Champions. Namma dodda Simhagulu roared loudly and made us all very proud. Very well done you beauties.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) May 31, 2026
His choice of words, particularly “Namma dodda Simhagulu” (Our big lions), resonated deeply with the franchise’s loyal fanbase, serving as a nostalgic throwback to his passionate involvement during the team’s foundational years. Kohli’s masterful unbeaten 75 was the undisputed crowning jewel of the night, earning him yet another Player of the Match accolade in a premier tournament final.
Why RCB didn’t organise the victory parade despite historic IPL 2026 championship win
While the celebratory spirit is at an all-time high, the passionate fans in Bengaluru will not be able to witness a public victory parade this year. The Royal Challengers management proactively decided against organizing a street-side celebration in order to prevent a massive crowd frenzy. This safety-first approach was heavily influenced by last year’s tragic turn of events, where a hurriedly organized parade following their maiden title led to a deadly stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming the lives of 11 fans. Current skipper Rajat Patidar emotionally dedicated this year’s trophy to those deceased fans, emphasizing that safety remains paramount.
Additionally, administrative and political events in the state capital forced the hands of the organizers. The swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka’s newly appointed Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, is scheduled to take place at the Lok Bhavan at 4:10 PM. Because the Governor’s residence and Lok Bhavan are in close proximity to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the political function is already projected to attract massive crowds from all over the state.
Managing two high-voltage events simultaneously would place an extreme burden on local law enforcement. The state police department explicitly indicated that sparing adequate personnel for a cricket parade would be near-impossible given the dignitary presence at the swearing-in ceremony. Adhering strictly to the police notification prohibiting public celebrations on city streets, the RCB management chose to prioritize civic order and fan safety over public revelry, moving the party behind closed doors.
