RCB’s Road to IPL 2026 Final: Tabletoppers, most consistent side and favorites to defend title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli speaks as the team huddles ahead of an IPL 2026 match. (ANI photo) NEW DELHI: After 18 long seasons to finally lift the Indian Premier League trophy in 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru backed up their historic triumph with another dominant campaign. Under captain Rajat Patidar, RCB have turned into the most consistent side of IPL 2026 and are now one win away from defending their crown.Last season’s title ended years of heartache for Virat Kohli, who spent almost two decades carrying the franchise’s hopes. But instead of slowing down after finally winning the trophy, RCB have bounced back this season looking even stronger, calmer and more complete. As the defending champions for the first time in IPL history, RCB took the pressure brilliantly. They finished top of the league stage table with nine wins from 14 matches before making it to the final with a crushing 92-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.As RCB prepare to face Gujarat Titans again in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, they look every inch the favorites to win back-to-back titles.

Virat Kohli (Video grab)

RCB started their campaign with an emphatic six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener in Bengaluru. In what turned out to be the first sign of the batting frenzy that would define IPL 2026, SRH piled up 201/9 only to be comfortably chased down by RCB in the 16th over.Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, while the aggressive batting immediately showed the intent with which RCB planned to play the season.The campaign gained further momentum in the Southern Derby against Chennai Super Kings. RCB batted first at home, crushing 250/3 with Tim David hitting an unbeaten 70 off just 25 balls. CSK fought hard with 207 in reply but RCB still cruised to a commanding 43-run victory.Their first setback came in Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals. Despite posting another 200-plus total, RCB ran into teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose explosive 26-ball 78 helped RR chase down the target with two overs to spare.However, the defeat did little to disrupt RCB’s rhythm.They bounced back with back-to-back wins over Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. At the Wankhede Stadium, RCB piled up 240/4 before restricting MI to 225/5 in a high-scoring thriller. Against LSG, they showed their bowling prowess by dismissing the visitors for 146.These wins also helped RCB build a healthy net run rate, which later proved crucial in the order.

Prince Yadav celebrates after taking the wicket of Virat Kohli. (IPL photo)

Mid-season swings and champion reactionsRCB suffered their first home defeat when they were beaten by Delhi Capitals in the final thriller in Bengaluru. But the defending champions responded strongly again.Against Gujarat Titans, they chased another target of 200 before producing one of the most dominant bowling performances of the season against Delhi Capitals in the reverse fixture. Led by Josh Hazlewood’s amazing 4/12, RCB bundled out DC for just 75 in 16.3 overs and chased down the target in just 6.3 overs, boosting their net rate significantly.The toughest phase of RCB’s season came soon after.Defeats against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants briefly put the playoff push under pressure. GT bowled out RCB for just 155 in Ahmedabad and chased down the target with ease, while RCB failed to chase down a revised target of 213 runs against LSG in a rain-affected contest.At this stage, RCB had six wins from 10 matches and still needed at least two more wins to secure a place in the playoffs.However, that pressure brought out the best in the defending champions.RCB responded with a hat-trick of victories to cement their place at the top of the table. They completed the season double over Mumbai Indians with a thrilling last-ball win in Raipur before comfortably beating Kolkata Knight Riders to seal play-off qualification.A 23-run win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala further strengthened their position at the top.Not even a heavy 55-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last league match could stop RCB from finishing first. Their excellent clean run ensured they came top ahead of Gujarat Titans and SRH despite all three teams finishing on 18 points.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar plays a shot during Qualifier 1 against GT. (NOT a photo)

RCB then produced their most complete performance of the season in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans.Skipper Rajat Patidar produced a sensational captain’s knock as he smashed 93 off just 33 balls with nine towering sixes to power RCB to a massive 254/5.The bowlers then finished the job clinically, bundling GT for 162 to seal a crushing 92-run win and book RCB’s place in their fifth IPL final.More importantly, the performance reinforced why RCB were the best team of the season. Their batting was fearless, their bowling disciplined and their management composed under pressure.Now, with momentum firmly on their side and confidence soaring, RCB are heading into the finals of IPL 2026 and are all set to successfully defend their title.

Best performances of RCB in IPL 2026

Top 5 doughs:

• Virat Kohli: M 15 | R 600 | HS 105 | Average 50.00 | SR 164.38 | 100s/50s 1/4
• Rajat Patidar: M 14 | R 486 | HS 93 | 44.18 | SR 196.76 | 100s/50s 0/5
• Devdutt Padikkal: M 14 | R 463 | HS 61 | Average 35.62 | SR 170.84 | 100s/50s 0/3
• Tim David: M 15 | R 281 | HS 70 | Avenue 35.13 | SR 193.79 | 100s/50s 0/1
• Krunal Pandya: M 15 | R 225 | HS 73 | 45.00 | SR 147.05 | 100s/50s 0/1

Top 5 Pitchers:

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar: M 15 | W 26 | Best 4/23 | Ave 18.15 | Econ. 8:00 a.m
• Rasikh Dar: M 11 | W 16 | Best 4/24 | 23.62 | Econ. 9.73
• Krunal Pandya: M 15 | W 13 | Best 2/16 | Average 30.92 | Econ. 8.64
• Josh Hazlewood: M 12 | W 13 | Best 4/12 | Avenue 35.15 | Econ. 9.62
• Suyash Sharma: M 12 | W 9 | Best 2/47 | Average 41.77 | Econ. 9.20