*Update*: Kohli leads RCB to second IPL title with record-breaking fifty

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are IPL champions for the second consecutive year. In the final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, it was Virat Kohli who decided the match – with a half-century in just 25 balls, the fastest of his IPL career in a final. espncricinfo.com reports that RCB won by five wickets in the end, impressively confirming their title-defending status.

The match began with a tactical decision that immediately sparked discussion: RCB captain Rajat Patidar decided to field first after the toss. The Indian Express analyses that history in IPL finals slightly favours the batting-first team – ten wins stand against eight wins for chasing teams. Patidar went against this statistic, and his team proved him right.

Weather chaos and preparation

The build-up to the final was not without disruptions. The Times of India reports that legend Sunil Gavaskar would have liked to see the final postponed given the difficult weather conditions: Gujarat Titans arrived late in Ahmedabad due to extreme weather, which affected their preparation.

When Kohli then took to the crease in the second innings, all side debates fell silent. His wife Anushka Sharma watched the performance from the stands and Sky Sports describes how she responded to Kohli's decisive fifty with a standing ovation – an image that flooded social networks within minutes.

Gaikwad steps in

Aside from the final, there was another personnel matter from Indian cricket: Ruturaj Gaikwad moves up in the India-A squad according to the BCCI to replace the injured Riyan Parag, who will miss the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury. The Hindu confirms the board's official announcement.

For RCB and Kohli, however, the evening in Ahmedabad is above all one thing: the moment fans have waited for years – a second IPL trophy, defended with a record-breaking performance by arguably the most recognisable face of Indian cricket.