NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli continued to stack records in his already decorated IPL career during the IPL 2026 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday. In a game that began with batting fireworks, Kohli’s latest landmark stood out even as RCB chased a stiff total.
At a glance
- Virat Kohli became the batter involved in the most 50-plus partnerships in men’s T20 cricket history.
- He reached 211 fifty-plus partnerships in men’s T20s, surpassing Alex Hales (210).
- SRH posted 255/4 against RCB, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen making major contributions.
- Ishan Kishan top-scored for SRH with 79; Abhishek made 56 and Klaasen scored 51.
- Kishan and Klaasen added 113 runs for the third wicket.
- Rasikh Salam Dar took 2/52 for RCB.
Kohli achieved the record by partnering again in a 50-plus opening stand, this time with Venkatesh Iyer against SRH. The early platform once more gave RCB a bright start before the innings shifted when Venkatesh was dismissed for 44 off only 19 deliveries.
SRH’s breakthrough came through Eshan Malinga, who removed Venkatesh to bring the opening stand to an end. Still, the damage had been done enough for RCB to feel the benefit of a strong early partnership.
With that 50-plus involvement, Kohli’s career total in men’s T20s reached 211 such partnerships, the most by any batter in the format. He moved ahead of England’s Alex Hales, who has 210 fifty-plus stands, while David Warner sits in third on 200. The list also includes Babar Azam with 196 and T20 icon Chris Gayle with 191.
SRH batter’s big statement
Earlier in the evening, Sunrisers Hyderabad put on a huge score, reaching 255/4 against RCB. Their innings was powered by rapid contributions from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen, with the home crowd in Hyderabad providing a lively backdrop.
Kishan was the standout performer, striking 79 to lead the charge for SRH. Abhishek added 56, while Klaasen contributed a brisk 51 as all three batters played key roles in pushing the total well beyond the 250 mark.
One of the most significant stretches came when Kishan and Klaasen built a 113-run partnership for the third wicket. That stand proved decisive, turning SRH’s momentum into a platform that ultimately delivered a successful batting outing.
For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar offered the most resistance, finishing with figures of 2/52. Despite his efforts, SRH’s top order had already done the heavy lifting as Bengaluru were left to respond to a steep target.
