​Brand value: On IPL 2026

Derided for not matching potential with performance in the past, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emphatically put those old ghosts to rest. Having won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title last year, RCB did one better this year , and retained the championship. A commanding display over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday ensured that RCB joined the likes of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians, teams that have won the title for two consecutive years. Ever since the league’s inception in 2008, the Bengaluru squad tended to flourish in spurts and then fade away. Three finals were made too prior to 2025, and in all those summit clashes, RCB choked. Last year, however, a turnaround was effected but as Rajat Patidar’s men exulted, the moment turned tragic with 11 fans losing their lives in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the latest edition, RCB maintained remarkable consistency and while Patidar marshalled his resources, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood chipped in. Fittingly, Patidar dedicated the triumph to the 11 fans who passed away. Meanwhile, Titans led by Shubman Gill, ran into a stronger outfit in the final and could not cash in on the advantage of playing at their home ground. Having commenced on March 28, the IPL with 10 teams and 74 matches, had a bloated air and at times viewer interest dipped. The cricket, though, was from the top-drawer of T20 cricket as batters muscled sixes. The leading star was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who belied his 15 summers. The Rajasthan Royals’ player is one for the future and there is talk of the selectors fast-tracking him into the national squad. Just as Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut at 16, Sooryavanshi too seems set to join that space of young talent pursuing higher glory. For now, a spot in T20I beckons even as the youngster is keen to play Tests too. Just as RCB, Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals made it to the play-offs, legacy units such as CSK, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders fell by the wayside. A churn is on the cards and Rishabh Pant has already relinquished his captaincy with the Lucknow Super Giants. India, the reigning T20 champion, has enough talent as was evident through the IPL. The club against country debate too stirred up as England speedster Jofra Archer’s IPL contract overlapped with the one that he has with The England and Wales Cricket Board. The IPL is a massive sporting brand but it should not cannibalise traditional cricket.