In every sense it was a fitting finale for IPL 2026. A 90,000 plus crowd at the biggest cricket facility in the country, the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. And, what is more, the finishing touches were provided in great style by who else but the veteran of many such battles, Virat Kohli to bring cheers to the multitudes of Royal Challenger Bangalore supporters. Kohli’s penchant for the big occasion came through bright and beautiful as he sent the ball into the crowd for the final stroke to victory. What Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings had done earlier, RCB followed by winning the title for the second time in succession. Perhaps the only low point on an otherwise rousing day’s show was the inability of Gujarat Titans to make a match of it. A closer fight would have injected even more excitement but GT could not raise an imposing target and it was too much to expect for the bowling department to do the rest. Not, when someone like Kohli was there and as it happened also his opening partner Venkatesh Iyer who was in such aggressive touch.

Overall, the IPL which ran for about a month and a half proved such a spectacle that it was no surprise that the event as always triggered a cricket mania in the country. No matter the oppressive weather, even the nights were so uncomfortable for most part, there were enough numbers in the galleries to........

© Mathrubhumi English