Virat Kohli says hitting winning runs for RCB in IPL final against GT 'stuff you dream of': 'Thought of this moment...'

Virat Kohli led the way with an unbeaten 75 off just 42 deliveries as Royal Challengers Bengaluru became only the third team to win back-to-back Indian Premier League titles after defeating Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

As It Happened | RCB vs GT, IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad

And speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony after being adjudged the 'Player of the Final', the former India and RCB captain described hitting the winning runs at an occasion of such a magnitude as a "dream moment".

"Stuff you dream of," Kohli said during the presentation ceremony. "Thought of this moment many times, wanting to hit the winning run. Felt really relaxed coming in. The team we have gives confidence to see any kind of situation through. Knew exactly what to do in the chase. Such is the demand super young players pushing you to up the ante."

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"I had to change my mindset not my game so much, take on bowlers and get extra runs. First target was to go top of the table. We didn't care what jersey was in front of us thereon. We're respectful, don't poke any team.

"We have mature professionals and experience shines through. Come the big situation you need the big boys to step up. I know it's a chase and they'll look to get me out early, but I knew we have a champion side that can chase it down with 3-4 overs to go," he continued reflecting on his team's successful season.

'Doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year'

And speaking to the broadcasters immediately after his match-winning performance, in which he brought up his fastest IPL half-century ever in 25 deliveries, Kohli revealed that the Royal Challengers didn't feel the same pressure this season as they did last year, when they had ended an 18-year wait for a maiden title after beating Punjab Kings in the summit clash – also at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

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"Well, I said to a few of the boys that it doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There’s a reason why we got here first. And we just said one thing: if we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the comp," Kohli told former Australia captain Aaron Finch after starring in RCB's victory on Sunday.

"And there’s a reason why we have done well so far in the group stage. We ended up topping the league stage. And yeah, it’s just the skill sets we have, the maturity, the composure of the guys just shone through again tonight and it was a clinical performance," he continued.

Thrilling victory over MI was turning point mid-season, reveals Kohli

RCB remained the most consistent team this season, remaining in the playoffs zone throughout the league stage and finishing top of the table. They would then hammer Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 before winning the final with ease.

Rajat Patidar's side, however, had experienced a wobble in the middle of the league stage, and Kohli further revealed that it was their thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians in Raipur that led to a turnaround.

"Well, to be fair, after the break, we had a couple of losses. I mean, one loss and then we had a close win against MI. I’d say that week for us was a bit tricky because we wanted to finish top. But as soon as we got that win against MI, the belief kicked back in. Then we had a comprehensive win against KKR and then, yeah, just ended up topping the table and just on our way to the finals," Kohli continued.

"We have so many Man of the Match awards cranked throughout the group as well. I mean, you look at world-class bowling like Hoff, Bhuvi, Duffy. I mean, Krunal Pandya, you know, you can bank on him, as good as ever. Rasikh Dar was brilliant this season. All the batsmen chipped in as well.

"So I feel so happy to play in a group where we have balance, we have strength, and we are an all-round strong team. And yeah, that’s why we have the confidence we have on the field right now," he added, reflecting on how the team contributed as a unit to win their second successive title," he added.

Also Read | Tendulkar, Pathan & others shower praise on RCB after historic title defence

Before Kohli's match-winning knock, the RCB bowlers had dished out a disciplined performance to restrict GT to a modest 155/8 after captain Patidar elected to field, thanks primarily to Rasikh Salam Dar's haul of 3/27.

The Royal Challengers thus join Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in winning back-to-back IPL titles. They are also only the fourth team in the league's history to win multiple IPL titles after CSK (5), MI (5) and Kolkata Knight Riders (3).