• Kailash Kher delivered a spine-chilling Shiv Tandav performance at IPL 2026 Final closing ceremony.

  • RCB closed in on back-to-back IPL trophies after restricting Gujarat Titans to 155 in the first innings.

RCB vs GT [WATCH]: Kailash Kher mesmerises Ahmedabad crowd with epic Shiv Tandav at closing ceremony during IPL 2026 Final
Kailash Kher mesmerises Ahmedabad crowd with epic Shiv Tandav at closing ceremony during IPL 2026 Final (Image source: X)

The Narendra Modi Stadium bore witness to an unforgettable spectacle tonight as the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 got underway. Featuring a high-stakes clash between the designated home team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and the formidable Gujarat Titans (GT), the grand finale shifted to Ahmedabad to deliver a perfect blend of high-octane cricket and cultural magnificence. As thousands of fans packed the stands, the evening kicked off with a breathtaking closing ceremony before transitioning into a masterclass of elite T20 cricket.

Kailash Kher’s powerful Shiv Tandav steals the show at IPL 2026 Final closing ceremony

Before a single ball was bowled, legendary singer Kailash Kher set the stadium alight with a performance that will be etched in IPL history. Delivering a mesmerizing rendition of the Shiv Tandav Stotram, Kher’s powerful vocals and profound spiritual energy resonated deeply through the massive venue.

As his voice soared across the Narendra Modi Stadium, the atmosphere turned electric. The seamless fusion of traditional spiritual chanting with the roar of thousands of passionate cricket fans created a truly breathtaking moment. The sheer scale of the performance left fans covered in goosebumps, perfectly setting the stage for the ultimate sporting battle of the season.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Sai Sudharsan falls to a brilliant backward-running catch by Jitesh Sharma in IPL 2026 Final

RCB on their way to lift consecutive IPL titles

With the energy in the stadium at an all-time high, the focus shifted to the pitch, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru completely dismantled the Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup. Opting to bowl, RCB’s disciplined bowling unit restricted GT to a modest total of 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Rasikh Salam led the destruction for RCB, picking up a stellar 3 for 27, while veteran paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar strangled the top order with a tight 2 for 29. For the Titans, captain Shubman Gill fell early for just 10 runs, and despite a fighting, unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar, who scored 50 off 37 balls, and small cameos from Nishant Sindhu (20) and Jos Buttler (19), GT simply could not break free from RCB’s tactical chokehold.

Chasing a target of 156 runs to retain their crown, RCB’s batsmen came out firing with immense intent. Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer played a blistering cameo, smashing 32 off just 16 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes before falling in the fifth over. Devdutt Padikkal departed shortly after, but standard-bearer Virat Kohli remained rock solid, anchoring the chase with an aggressive, unbeaten 35 off just 12 deliveries, striking at an astonishing 291.66.

By the end of the 6-over powerplay, RCB had raced to a commanding 70 for 2. Requiring just 86 more runs from 84 balls at a highly manageable required run rate of 6.14, firmly setting them on a direct path to secure consecutive IPL titles.

Also WATCH: Rajat Patidar takes a sensational running catch to remove Shubman Gill during IPL 2026 Final

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .