Gill\u2019s reflection came after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their crown in front of a packed crowd, powered by Virat Kohli\u2019s unbeaten 75 - his fastest IPL fifty coming off 25 balls. Kohli\u2019s knock helped RCB chase down 156 with two overs to spare, and ensured the side joined Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to defend their IPL title successfully.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf we'd have gotten 180-190, it'd have been a good match. Maybe a little two-paced but not too much. There's some early movement for pacers. We lost early wickets and never got momentum. We felt we'll be in the game if we took 1-2 wickets in the powerplay,\u201d said Gill at the conclusion of the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RCB\u2019s seamers had earlier set the tone for the win on a mixed soil pitch, with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar striking early and Rasikh Salam Dar returning with figures of 3-27. Washington Sundar\u2019s fighting fifty lifted GT to 155, but the total proved to be insufficient against Kohli\u2019s brilliance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf we'd have gotten 180-190, it'd have been a good match. Maybe a little two-paced but not too much. There's some early movement for pacers. We lost early wickets and never got momentum. We felt we'll be in the game if we took 1-2 wickets in the powerplay,\u201d said Gill at the conclusion of the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite losing the final, GT got a cheque of Rs 12.5 crore for being IPL 2026 runners-up. The side also saw pacer Mohammed Siraj win the award for most dot balls in the season (172), while left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan claimed the prize for most fours hit in the competition (75).<\/p>\r\n\r\n