NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru launched a stunning assault in the IPL 2026 final, rewriting the record books as Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer raced to the fastest team fifty ever recorded in an IPL final on Sunday.Chasing 156 for victory against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB reached the 50-run mark in just 3.3 overs, eclipsing the previous record of 4 overs set by Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 final at the same venue.The blistering start put defending champions RCB firmly in control after their bowlers had earlier restricted Gujarat to 155 for 8.Kohli-Iyer unleash carnageThe opening pair came out with clear intent and immediately took the attack to Gujarat’s bowlers.Kohli, whose iconic No. 18 jersey dominated the stands, was at his aggressive best. The batting superstar hammered 23 runs off just eight deliveries, finding boundaries with remarkable ease and sending the packed crowd into a frenzy.At the other end, Venkatesh Iyer matched him stroke for stroke. The left-hander smashed 26 off only 13 balls as the duo tore into the Gujarat attack during the powerplay.By the time RCB crossed the fifty-run mark in the fourth over, the previous record had already been consigned to history.The explosive opening stand underlined Bengaluru’s determination to finish the job after producing a near-perfect performance with the ball.Bowlers set the platformEarlier, Rajat Patidar’s decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends.RCB’s pace attack dismantled Gujarat’s top order, with Josh Hazlewood removing captain Shubman Gill for 10 before Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Sai Sudharsan for 12 in the very next over.Unheralded pacer Rasikh Salam emerged as the standout performer, claiming 3 for 27 from his four overs. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar chipped in with two wickets apiece, while Krunal Pandya delivered a crucial breakthrough by stumping Jos Buttler for 19.Only Washington Sundar offered significant resistance, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries to help Gujarat post a fighting total.
