Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar lauded the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season for its resounding success on and off the field, emphasizing the opportunities it created for players, the massive job generation it spurred, and the substantial returns delivered to franchise owners. Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad, Shelar also commended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing body for organizing a world-class tournament that captivated cricket fans worldwide. He extended congratulations to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their outstanding title-winning campaign.
Shelar's Praise for IPL 2026
Shelar stated, "This season of the IPL, much like every other season, was incredibly vibrant. Our players, too, received an opportunity to showcase their talent in the game. The ecosystem also witnessed job creation on a massive scale. The owners received a return on their investments, and cricket enthusiasts across the globe had the opportunity to witness a truly excellent league. For this, I extend my sincere appreciation to both the BCCI and the IPL Committee. I offer my hearty congratulations to RCB for the sheer brilliance with which they secured their victory."
RCB's Title Victory
RCB clinched their second consecutive IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the 2026 final held on Sunday at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. With this win, RCB became only the third team after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to successfully defend their IPL crown. Captain Rajat Patidar's side restricted GT to 155/8 in the first innings and then chased down the target with five wickets and two overs to spare.
Match Highlights
Batting first after losing the toss, GT managed only 155/8 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar top-scored with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, hitting five fours, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 off 18 balls with three fours. No other batter crossed the 20-run mark. For RCB, Rasikh Dar Salam took 3/27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 2/29, and Josh Hazlewood picked up 2/37.
In response, RCB got off to a strong start with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. GT fought back, reducing RCB to 132/5, but Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, laced with nine fours and three sixes, to guide his team to victory with two overs left.
RCB's Trophy Cabinet
This victory marked RCB's second IPL title and their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy overall, including two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.
