Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their Indian Premier League crown in style, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a low-scoring final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening. Chasing 156, RCB reached the target with 12 balls to spare, powered by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 off 42 balls.

The victory marks RCB's second successive title, a remarkable turnaround for a franchise long associated with near-misses.

Kohli's Defining Knock

Kohli, often the heartbeat of RCB, delivered yet another big-stage performance. Coming in at a crucial juncture, he steadied the chase and accelerated when needed, striking nine fours and three sixes. His innings earned him Player of the Match honours. Captain Rajat Patidar and others provided solid support as RCB crossed the line comfortably despite a mid-innings wobble.

Bowlers Rasikh Salam and Bhuvneshwar Kumar earlier set the tone, restricting GT to 155/8. The pitch offered assistance to seamers, and RCB utilised it well.

Siraj's Graceful Gesture

In a heartwarming moment amid the rivalry, Mohammed Siraj, now with Gujarat Titans, publicly congratulated his former franchise. The pacer, who spent seven seasons with RCB before being released ahead of the mega auction, shared an Instagram story hailing the champions.

Despite the loss and his own heartbreak—captured in a later 'Breakdown' story with teammates—Siraj's gesture reflected the strong bonds formed during his Bengaluru years. Local fans appreciated the sportsmanship from the Hyderabad-born speedster.

"Asked Ourselves Question": Kohli's First Post

Hours after the final, Virat Kohli broke his social media silence with a heartfelt post. Sharing pictures with teammates including Jitesh Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and Krunal Pandya, the star batter captioned it in a way that suggested reflection and resilience: "Asked ourselves question." The message resonated deeply with RCB supporters who had waited years for sustained success.

Celebrations and Cross-Sport Shoutouts

The win triggered widespread reactions. Former RCB stars Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers joined the party. Gayle posted "Back To Back 🏆🏆" with his trademark energy, even dancing Gangnam Style during the match. De Villiers shared a reel with the Kannada phrase "Ee saala 2x Naamdu" meaning "This year also ours," adding "rcb forever."

Anushka Sharma, Kohli's wife, shared a warm hug between her husband and Dinesh Karthik with the line, "One felt nice, we did it twice." English footballer Harry Kane also praised Kohli's impact in an Instagram story. David Warner singled out Bhuvneshwar Kumar, calling the veteran pacer a "legend" after his strong showing against his former side.

Krunal Pandya, who now has five IPL titles across franchises, playfully flaunted all five trophies with his fingers in a celebratory post.

Fans Go Berserk on Streets

Back home, celebrations turned wild. Videos from Mysore and parts of Tamil Nadu showed RCB fans spilling onto roads, dancing, bursting crackers, and even moving barricades in excitement. Traffic came to a halt in several localities as yellow-and-red jerseys dominated the night. Police maintained a watchful eye but largely allowed the joyous outpouring.

A New Chapter for RCB

This triumph cements a new era under Patidar's captaincy. The side has shed its previous tag of perennial underachievers. Kohli, who has been with the franchise since its inception, finally has back-to-back titles to show for his loyalty.

For Gujarat Titans, it was a disappointing end to an otherwise competitive season. Skipper Shubman Gill and his team will look to bounce back stronger next year.

As the dust settles on IPL 2026, RCB's success highlights the value of squad stability, tactical bowling, and match-winners like Kohli stepping up when it matters most. Bengaluru is expected to erupt in mega celebrations upon the team's return, with open bus parades already being speculated in fan circles.

The win not only brings silverware but also immense pride to a passionate fanbase that has stood by the team through thick and thin.

Riyan Parag Caught Vaping in IPL Dressing Room

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag vaping controversy erupts during Punjab Kings match, reigniting e-cig ban debate amid past star cricketer incidents.

Riyan Parag, captain of Rajasthan Royals, is facing backlash after a video captured him allegedly vaping an e-cigarette in the dressing room during Tuesday's IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in Jaipur. The clip, from the 16th over of RR's batting innings, shows Parag in the presence of teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. It quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism for flouting India's e-cigarette ban.

Viral Clip Sparks Outrage

The footage aired briefly on live broadcast before cutting away, but not before social media users shared it widely. Fans and former players called it a poor example from a team leader. "This isn't just about rules—it's about setting standards for young fans," one ex-cricketer posted online. The incident comes just days after RR manager Romi Bhinder was fined for using a mobile phone in the dressing room near young prospect Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

E-Cigs Banned Since 2019

India outlawed the production, sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019. Violations carry jail time and hefty fines. Officials note vaping poses serious health risks, especially for athletes, with unknown chemicals in devices lacking safety clearance. Parag's public use in a high-profile setting has amplified calls for stricter enforcement in sports.

BCCI Seeks Response

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has been approached for comment, sources familiar with the matter said. The board is expected to demand explanations from Parag and the franchise soon. "They take player conduct seriously, particularly with laws involved," a senior official remarked. IPL guidelines already prohibit such items in team areas, and penalties could range from fines to suspension.

Past Stars in Similar Spots

This isn't the first time IPL cameras have caught top players. Back in 2020, ex-Australia captain Aaron Finch was spotted vaping during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's clash with Rajasthan Royals. The clip showed him exhaling smoke mid-over before the feed switched back to action, sparking a brief storm online.

De Villiers' SA20 Moment

AB de Villiers faced heat more recently in South Africa's SA20 league. Sitting in the VIP stands, the former South Africa star was filmed vaping, with the image flashing on the stadium big screen. Social media buzzed, though he brushed it off lightly.

Smoking Rows Beyond Vapes

Traditional smoking incidents have also rocked cricket. Brendon McCullum once admitted puffing cigarettes in a stadium toilet during New Zealand's 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa. England's Ben Stokes drew ire for lighting up in Lord's washroom ahead of the 2019 World Cup final versus New Zealand.

Rabada's Hotel Balcony Clip

Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada hit headlines earlier when a video surfaced of him smoking a cigarette from a hotel balcony during IPL. Unlike others, it wasn't inside stadium premises, but it still fueled debates on player discipline.

The Parag episode underscores ongoing tensions between personal habits and public scrutiny in elite cricket. With IPL 2026 in full swing, eyes are on BCCI's next move—fines, warnings, or tougher measures. Franchises may tighten dressing room protocols amid rising fan expectations. For now, Parag continues to lead RR, but the cloud lingers.

As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for a significant transition ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, a fiery debate has ignited around the franchise's most iconic figure—MS Dhoni. With the Yellow Army acquiring Sanju Samson via trade and Ruturaj Gaikwad already at the helm, South African legend AB de Villiers has openly questioned whether "Thala" deserves a spot in the playing XI based on current form and role clarity.

'Making Up a Spot for Wrong Reasons' – De Villiers' Verdict on Dhoni

The buzz surrounding MS Dhoni's retirement has been a constant companion to every IPL season since CSK's triumphant 2023 campaign. However, with inconsistent batting performances and a drastically reduced role, the scrutiny has intensified. Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar, AB de Villiers didn't hold back:

"I don't see a role for MS batting at 8 or 9 and not really doing enough. If he's going to play the role of batting at 8 or 9 and not really captaining, then I just feel he's almost making up a spot and is almost there for the wrong reasons. And that's not the position that he deserves to be in."

The RCB legend emphasized that while Dhoni's legacy is undeniable, selection must move beyond sentiment. He pointed to the franchise's robust leadership pipeline, stating, "I do feel that Ruturaj and Sanju are the perfect players to take over from MS."

Sanju Samson's Arrival Changes the Wicketkeeping Equation

A major catalyst for this debate is CSK's strategic move in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. By acquiring Sanju Samson via trade, the franchise now boasts a wicketkeeper of exceptional calibre. This development potentially diminishes Dhoni's role behind the stumps, reducing his on-field contribution to a pure batting cameo—if he makes the XI at all.

De Villiers acknowledged that while Dhoni can still contribute, it must be on merit. His prescription? Bat higher or step aside.

"He's got to bat himself up to, at the latest, number 6. I would even like to see him at 5 or 4 sometimes," de Villiers suggested, arguing that Dhoni's legendary finishing ability is wasted when he arrives too late in the innings.

Pujara Echoes Concerns: 'What If Mahi Bhai Plays 30 Balls?'

Echoing the South African's sentiments, former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara added a nuanced perspective during the same JioStar discussion. Having been part of the CSK setup, Pujara understands the team culture intimately.

"I don't see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do. If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls," Pujara remarked.

He also highlighted the ongoing transition within the franchise: "There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players."

The Impact Player Rule and Dhoni's Shrinking Role

Since the introduction of the Impact Player rule, Dhoni's on-field function has narrowed considerably. Apart from occasional wicketkeeping and strategic inputs, his role has been reduced to that of a late-order pinch-hitter—walking in to face a handful of deliveries and attempting to maximise the final overs.

While this approach has yielded moments of nostalgia, the inconsistency has only magnified questions about his place in a competitive XI. With CSK investing heavily in young talent—including most-expensive uncapped Indians Kartik and Prashant—the franchise appears to be building for the future.

What Lies Ahead for Thala and CSK?

Dhoni remains one of only nine original players who featured in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008. Over nearly two decades, he has transformed CSK into a sporting dynasty. However, as de Villiers aptly noted, a brand like CSK isn't built by one individual alone—it's shaped by the fans and the players who carry the legacy forward.

The big question looming over IPL 2026: Will CSK management separate sentiment from selection, or will Dhoni defy critics with a refurbished role higher up the order?

One thing is certain—the debate around MS Dhoni's CSK future isn't dying down anytime soon. And with voices like de Villiers and Pujara weighing in, the pressure is mounting on the franchise to define Thala's role with clarity before the season opener.