Virat Kohli turned back the clock in Raipur on May 13, 2026, smashing an unbeaten 105 off just 60 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a crucial six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders. With this victory, RCB not only ended KKR’s four-match winning streak but also climbed to the top of the IPL 2026 points table on net run rate. The game, played at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, marked Kohli’s ninth IPL century and his third in a run chase—putting him level with Jos Buttler for most hundreds in chases.
Vintage Kohli, Record Chase
Chasing a stiff 193 on a tricky surface, Kohli delivered a masterclass in calculated aggression and composure. KKR had earlier posted a competitive 192/4, riding on Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s 71 and a late blitz from Rinku Singh (49*). Cameron Green chipped in with 32, while KKR’s Kartik Tyagi did his best with three wickets, but it wasn’t enough to derail RCB’s pursuit. Kohli’s innings was not without fortune—a dropped catch on 21 proved costly for KKR and became the turning point of the match.
As Kohli guided RCB home with five balls to spare, applause poured in from all corners. None louder, perhaps, than IPL legend and KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo, who embraced Kohli in the dressing room and urged him to “play as long as possible, the sport needs you.” Kohli’s century is now the highest score by an RCB batter against KKR, surpassing his own 100 at Eden Gardens in 2019.
RCB Peaking at the Right Moment
This result has thrown KKR’s playoff hopes into jeopardy. Even if they win their remaining games, the maximum they can reach is 15 points—hardly a sure ticket to the knockouts. For RCB, though, the mood is upbeat. With matches left in Dharamshala and Hyderabad, the defending champions look disciplined, flexible, and full of belief at the business end of the season.
After the match, Kohli was pragmatic: “It’s going to finish one day,” he reflected, focusing less on records and more on preparation and purpose. But records keep tumbling for the RCB stalwart—he now has 1126 runs against KKR, joining another elite list, and shares the most Player of the Match awards by an Indian in IPL history (21, tied with Rohit Sharma).
RCB’s chase of 193 is now among their highest in IPL history, and with Kohli leading from the front, Bengaluru fans are daring to dream once again.
