RCB’s Second Triumph and the Story of IPL 2026: A Season of Evolution and Excellence
By
Anup V Menon
Sports Analyst and Knowledge Partner
RCB joined the elite company of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians by winning the IPL crown in successive years. Unlike last year, when the pressure of winning their maiden title weighed heavily on them, this year’s triumph was built on class in execution, precision in planning, and tactical clarity.
RCB always had the flair. Over the years, some of the biggest names in world cricket donned the red and gold. Yet, despite all the star power, there was little to show for it until 2025. Their journey bears a striking resemblance to that of Paris Saint-Germain in European football. For years, PSG boasted the likes of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, yet failed to conquer Europe. It was only when Luis Enrique and his think tank went back to the drawing board and built a system driven team that sustained success followed. The result was a Champions League title in 2025 and a successful defence of that crown a year later.
RCB’s transformation has followed a similar path. For years, they were viewed as a side capable of scoring runs at will but lacking the bowling depth and balance required to win titles consistently. Their auction strategies were often questioned, and team combinations rarely looked settled. However, over the last two seasons, they have covered all bases, thanks largely to the vision and planning of the backroom staff.
So, what stood out for RCB this year?
It was a delight to watch two seasoned campaigners, Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, lead the batting and bowling units respectively. Who says age is a barrier? These two proved that consistency at the highest level has more to do with skill, temperament and experience than numbers.
Kohli anchored the innings when required and accelerated when the situation demanded. Phil Salt provided explosive starts in the early part of the tournament, while Venkatesh Iyer took over that role brilliantly in the later stages. Captain Rajat Patidar controlled the middle overs with maturity and intent. Tim David, Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd handled the finishing duties with remarkable efficiency.
The bowling unit was equally impressive. Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya had clearly defined roles, while young Rasikh Salam emerged as a welcome addition to the attack. This clarity of responsibilities ensured that the team was never overly dependent on individual brilliance. More importantly, RCB’s bowling attack consistently won them matches, something that had rarely been associated with the franchise in the past.
Rajat Patidar deserves special mention. As captain, he brought a sense of calmness and composure to the role. He appeared tactically sharp, trusted his players, and rarely allowed pressure to influence his decision making. His leadership style was understated yet highly effective. He can undoubtedly be considered one of the captains of the season.
As mentioned earlier, RCB always possessed class and flair. Add clarity of thought and precision in execution to that mix, and you have a formidable unit. That is precisely what RCB have become over the last two years, resulting in back-to-back IPL titles.
While RCB dominated the headlines, IPL 2026 had several other fascinating stories to tell and facets this year.
The biggest among them was the emergence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. At just 15 years of age, he became a household name across India and beyond. Scoring nearly 800 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237, he redefined fearless batting. Such numbers are almost unheard of in professional cricket. He smashed world class bowlers to all parts of the ground, finished as the leading six hitter and the top scorer of the tournament, and deservedly won the Most Valuable Player award. Time and again, he single handedly turned matches in his team’s favour. If nurtured properly, cricket may well have discovered its next superstar.
IPL 2026 also witnessed a dramatic shift in batting dynamics. A score of 250 became the new 200, with teams no longer feeling secure even after posting 200-plus totals. Power hitting reached unprecedented levels, and powerplays often turned into nightmares for bowlers.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Heinrich Klaasen, Tim David, Ryan Rickelton and Rajat Patidar were among the standout performers, maintaining extraordinary strike rates throughout the tournament. Fearless batting replaced risk management, and teams were willing to attack relentlessly regardless of conditions. More often than not, the first six overs determined the outcome of matches.
The season also belonged to the youngsters. Emerging players carried franchises alongside, and often ahead of, established stars. The game continues to evolve rapidly, and IPL 2026 demonstrated that balance and depth have become more important than dependence on a handful of superstars.
Despite all the batting mayhem, the fast bowlers ensured they remained relevant. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kagiso Rabada stood out with their consistency and control, with Rabada ultimately claiming the Purple Cap. Jofra Archer, too, was at his destructive best throughout the season. Interestingly, fast bowlers accounted for nearly 70 percent of the wickets taken, highlighting the continued importance of quality pace bowling in the shortest format.
IPL 2026 will be remembered as the season in which T20 cricket became even more aggressive, driven by intent and fearless execution. Gujarat Titans had the consistency. Sunrisers Hyderabad possessed the firepower. Rajasthan Royals captured the imagination with their youthful exuberance.
Yet, when all the dust settled, it was RCB’s tactical clarity, squad balance and precise execution that separated them from the rest. They always had the flair. Now they have the structure, discipline and consistency to match it.
Worthy Champions – Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
