The legendary batter produced an unbeaten 75 from just 42 balls in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans, steering Bengaluru to a comfortable five-wicket victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 156 for victory, Kohli once again rose to the occasion on the biggest stage. His innings, which included nine boundaries and three sixes, came at a strike rate of 178.57 and ensured Bengaluru reached their target with two overs to spare.
With more than 90,000 spectators in attendance, many wearing Kohli’s iconic number 18 jersey, the 37-year-old delivered a performance befitting his status as one of cricket’s greatest players. He fittingly sealed the victory with a towering six before celebrating with teammates as Bengaluru successfully defended the title they won in 2025.
Kohli set the tone from the outset, sharing a rapid 62-run opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer. He was particularly aggressive against the pace attack, taking on Kagiso Rabada with a series of boundaries that immediately placed Gujarat on the back foot.
Even when Gujarat attempted to fight back through Rashid Khan’s double strike that removed captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya, Kohli remained calm and in control. He expertly rebuilt the innings alongside Tim David before guiding the chase to its conclusion with Jitesh Sharma.
The innings also earned Kohli the Player of the Match award, his fifth half-century of the IPL 2026 campaign and another reminder of his enduring brilliance in franchise cricket.
What made the knock even more impressive was the context. In a pressure-filled final, Kohli never appeared rushed, pacing the chase perfectly while maintaining the aggressive intent required in modern T20 cricket. His experience, composure and ability to dominate key moments proved decisive.
Speaking after the match, Kohli described the victory as a dream come true, revealing he had imagined hitting the winning runs in an IPL final many times throughout his career.
The triumph capped another remarkable chapter in Kohli’s career. Having already retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, the former India captain continues to excel in the ODI format while remaining one of the most influential players in franchise cricket.
For delivering a title-winning innings under pressure and leading from the front when it mattered most, Virat Kohli is Cricket World’s Player of the Week.