Virat Kohli has credited the depth and balance of Royal Challengers Bangalore for their second consecutive IPL title, saying that for the first time in his long association with the franchise, he no longer feels the pressure of doing it all on his own.

Kohli played an unbeaten inning of 75 runs in 42 balls. RCB easily chased Gujarat Titans’ 155 runs for 8 wickets.Won by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

RCB’s dominance throughout the season resulted in another title-winning campaign and Kohli said the biggest difference was the team’s confidence in its collective ability.

“This group is everything. We have had to wait for this for a long time. The special thing is that when you come out on the field, you don’t feel like you have to step up every time. There are players all around you who can win games for the team. We have had man-of-the-match performances all season. You look at the quality we have – world-class bowlers, players you can always rely on. Rashid was brilliant this season, and all the batsmen also contributed, Kohli said. RCB won its second consecutive IPL title.

IPL 2026 final: highlighted | Achievement:

The 37-year-old player once again played the role of anchor in the final. After Venkatesh Iyer helped RCB get off to a great start, Kohli ensured the target was never lost despite brief fluctuations in the middle overs.

RCB had scored 70 runs for 2 wickets in the powerplay before losing many wickets. However, Kohli stood firm, completing his fifth half-century of the season and remaining unbeaten till the end, completing the chase with a six off Arshad Khan.

Reflecting on the campaign, Kohli said this season never had the same pressure as last season because the players trusted the quality within the team.

“I told some of the boys that we didn’t feel the same pressure as last year. We knew how much potential we had in this group. We topped the table for some reason and came first for some reason. We kept telling ourselves one thing – if we stick to our cricket and execute our plans, we are the best team in the competition. That’s why we performed so well in the league stage and finished on top. The skill set we have, coupled with the maturity and composure of the group, came to the fore again.” Came in. Tonight, it was a great performance, not just tonight but in the entire tournament,” Kohli said.

RCB’s path to the title was not at all straight. The team was in a bit of trouble after the mid-season break, but Kohli said the crucial win over Mumbai Indians gave confidence in the dressing room.

“To be honest, we had a difficult phase after the break. We lost one game and then had a close win against MI. That week was important because we wanted to be on top. Once we got the win against MI, the confidence came back. Then we won comprehensively against KKR, topped the table and carried that momentum till the final,” he said.

Kohli said success ultimately hinges on the balance and depth that RCB has built over the last two seasons.

Kohli further said, “I am very happy to be part of a group that has balance, strength and depth. We are a strong all-round team and that is where our confidence comes from. That is why we have been able to achieve what we have.”

For a player who has often been the face of RCB’s successes and failures over the years, Sunday’s win holds a different significance. Kohli once again performed well when it mattered most, but he made it clear that this title is not about any one player. It was about a team that backed itself up from the start, topping the league table and completing an impressive campaign with a stellar performance in the final.

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