IPL 2026 [WATCH]: Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya dance in delight as RCB retain their crown

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season reached a magnificent climax on Sunday, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their title in front of a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Stepping in as the designated home team after the final was shifted from Bengaluru, RCB put on a clinical performance to defeat the Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets. While the match itself proved to be a relatively one-sided affair, the post-match celebrations certainly brought the thunder to match the occasion.

Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya lead RCB’s celebrations with energetic dhol dance after title defence

The tension of a high-stakes final quickly evaporated into pure jubilation as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their back-to-back IPL championship. The celebratory mood peaked at the team hotel, where players let loose in a celebratory party that quickly went viral across social media.

In one of the most shared clips from the night, RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya and batting maestro Virat Kohli can be seen dancing their hearts out to the thunderous beats of traditional dhols. The video kicks off with an ecstatic Pandya holding the golden IPL trophy aloft, swaying and shaking a leg alongside the lively dhol artists. Moments later, an unstoppable Kohli joins him on the dance floor. The iconic duo locked into the rhythm, trading energetic bhangra steps and sending the room into a frenzy, capturing the exact relief and ecstasy of conquering the gruelling tournament yet again.

Here’s the video:

Celebration rukenge nahi ft. Krunal Pandya. 🕺🤭😂 pic.twitter.com/s6RgvHdxaR

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 31, 2026

Also WATCH: IPL 2026: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma hit the dance floor after RCB’s title triumph

Kohli guides RCB to emphatic IPL 2026 triumph against GT

Earlier in the evening, the foundation for these wild celebrations was laid on the pitch through a masterful, unbeaten half-century by Kohli. Winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB’s bowling unit immediately put the squeeze on the Gujarat Titans. GT opener Shubman Gill was dismissed early for just 10 runs off 8 balls by Josh Hazlewood, and Sai Sudharsan followed shortly after for 12, courtesy of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Despite an anchor inning from Jos Buttler (19 off 23 balls) and a resilient, unbeaten fighting fifty from Washington Sundar, who scored 50 off 37 balls featuring five fours, the Titans struggled to find any momentum. RCB’s Rasikh Salam tore through the lower middle order, finishing with brilliant figures of 3 for 27 in his 4 overs, while Pandya kept things incredibly tight, conceding just 23 runs and picking up a crucial wicket in his 4-over spell. GT ultimately limped to a modest total of 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 156, RCB’s explosive impact sub, Venkatesh Iyer, lit up the powerplay by smashing a rapid 32 off just 16 balls. This flying start allowed Kohli to anchor the chase perfectly. Kohli brought up an aggressive half-century in just 25 deliveries and finished with a masterful, unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, punctuated by 10 crisp fours and 2 massive sixes.

Despite Rashid Khan’s best efforts to stall the chase with a tidy spell of 2 for 25, Kohli steered RCB home comfortably. Alongside Jitesh Sharma (11 not out), Kohli crossed the finish line with 12 balls to spare, ending the innings at 161 for 5 in 18 overs. Unsurprisingly, Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match for his championship-winning knock, sealing a historic night for Bengaluru.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Final Ceremony: Complete List of Award Winners, Prize Money – Who Won Orange Cap, Purple Cap, MVP and Emerging Player?