IPL 2026 Review: RCB Defends the Crown, Sooryavanshi’s Record Orange Cap
The IPL 2026 season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifting the trophy after defeating Gujarat Titans in the final, successfully defending their title to become only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to win back-to-back championships. But the defining story of the season was not the champions — it was the sensational rise of 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who rewrote the record books.
Sooryavanshi finished the season as the Orange Cap winner with 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30, becoming the youngest Orange Cap winner in league history at 15 years and 65 days. He also took home the Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and maximum sixes awards — the first player to win both MVP and Emerging Player in the same season. His 72 sixes broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing record of 59 in a single season.
IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs Gujarat Titans
The final saw RCB beat the Titans to seal back-to-back titles, with Virat Kohli named Player of the Match in the decider. The final also settled the Orange Cap race: Gujarat openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan began the match on 722 and 710 runs respectively, with a realistic chance of overhauling Sooryavanshi. Gill fell for 10 and Sudharsan for 12, leaving the teenager’s 776-run tally unchallenged. Gill finished second with 732 runs and Sudharsan third with 722, while Kohli ended fourth with 675.
The champions took home ₹20 crore in prize money, with the runners-up receiving ₹12.5 crore. Sooryavanshi’s two knocks that sealed the Orange Cap came in the knockout rounds — a 97 in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad and a 96 in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, both innings that dragged Rajasthan Royals deep into the playoffs.
Bowling Honours: Rabada’s Purple Cap
Gujarat Titans quick Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap with 29 wickets from 17 games, his second Purple Cap after winning one in 2020. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished a close second with 28 wickets. Rabada’s breakthrough spells were central to Gujarat’s run to the final, and his battle with Sooryavanshi became one of the season’s great storylines.
Other award winners included Manish Pandey (Catch of the Season for a one-handed take against RCB), Sai Sudharsan (most fours), Mohammed Siraj (most dot balls) and Punjab Kings (Fair Play Award). For a Pakistani perspective on franchise T20 leagues, read our PSL 2026 review, and for the international picture see our T20 World Cup 2026 review.
Key Numbers from the Season
The headline figures from the IPL 2026 season make for remarkable reading. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 776 runs came at a strike rate of 237.30 and included one century and five half-centuries, with his highest score 103. His 72 sixes shattered the previous single-season record. Behind him, Shubman Gill made 732 runs and Sai Sudharsan 722, while Virat Kohli finished fourth with 675 and was Player of the Match in the final. With the ball, Kagiso Rabada’s 29 wickets edged out Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 28 for the Purple Cap. The IPL 2026 also rewarded excellence richly: champions RCB took home ₹20 crore and the runners-up ₹12.5 crore.
The IPL 2026 final was played on 31 May 2026, capping a season that once again clashed with the PSL window in April and May. For RCB, back-to-back titles cemented their place among the league’s elite after their breakthrough 2025 crown, and only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians had previously managed consecutive championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the title, beating Gujarat Titans in the final to defend their title.
Who won the Orange Cap this season?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals, with 776 runs in 16 innings, becoming the youngest Orange Cap winner ever at 15.
Who won the Purple Cap this season?
Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans with 29 wickets in 17 games.
How many sixes did Sooryavanshi hit this season?
72 sixes, breaking Chris Gayle’s record of 59 in a single IPL season.
What was the prize money this season?
The champions received ₹20 crore and the runners-up ₹12.5 crore.
All figures in this review were verified against season reports published in May 2026. For the official season records, see the awards list and the ESPNcricinfo report on Sooryavanshi’s awards.
In-Depth Guide: IPL 2026 Review: RCB Defends the Crown, Sooryavanshi’s Record Orange Cap
Cricket fever runs deep in Pakistan, and interest in ipl 2026 shows it. Whether you follow the ipl 2026 live score ball by ball or plan your month around the fixtures, this guide covers the essentials — the ipl 2026 tickets booking process, the ipl 2026 pakistan squad, and how to watch ipl 2026 in pakistan so you never miss a moment.
Ipl 2026 Tickets Booking
The ipl 2026 tickets booking usually opens in phases, with early-bird windows for premium stands followed by general sale. Buy only from official ticketing partners and keep your confirmation email safe — screenshots of QR codes are often rejected at stadium gates. For high-demand Pakistan matches, tickets sell out within hours, so create your account and save payment details in advance.
Breaking Down the Ipl 2026 Pakistan Squad
The ipl 2026 pakistan squad blends experienced campaigners with exciting young talent. Selectors typically balance the squad with specialist batters, a wicketkeeper-batter, all-rounders for depth, and a pace attack suited to the conditions. Form in the weeks before the tournament matters more than reputation, which is why late squad changes are common.
How To Watch Ipl 2026 In Pakistan
For fans wondering how to watch ipl 2026 in pakistan, matches are carried by official broadcast partners on television and their streaming apps. Radio commentary and ball-by-ball text coverage are good low-data alternatives when you are travelling. Avoid unofficial streaming sites — they are unreliable and often carry security risks.
What Pakistan Needs to Get Right
- Top-order consistency: quick starts in the powerplay set up big totals.
- Death bowling: yorkers and slower balls decide close games.
- Fielding standards: sharp fielding saves 15 to 20 runs per match.
- Handling pressure: knockout games are won by calm decision-making.
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