Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli rewrote the record books during IPL 2026 on Friday, when his 60-run opening stand with Venkatesh Iyer helped set the tone against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli’s performance also produced a major milestone in men’s T20 cricket, as it became his 211th partnership of 50 runs or more at that level, extending his lead over the previous benchmark set by Alex Hales.
Key takeaways
- Virat Kohli reached 211 partnerships of 50-plus runs in men’s T20 cricket, moving past Alex Hales.
- Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer added 60 runs for the first wicket in the IPL 2026 clash.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 255/4, paced by Ishan Kishan’s 79 and supported by Abhishek Sharma (56) and Heinrich Klaasen (51).
- Kishan and Klaasen combined for 113 runs for the third wicket to drive SRH’s successful batting display.
- For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar finished with figures of 2/52.
Kohli’s landmark 50-plus partnership record
The milestone arrived in the opening phase of the match, where Kohli’s calm presence paired with Venkatesh Iyer’s aggression. Their 60-run partnership for the first wicket became Kohli’s 211th instance of being involved in a 50-plus stand in men’s T20 cricket.
With that achievement, Kohli now tops the list for most such partnerships in the format. He has surpassed Alex Hales, whose total is listed at 210. David Warner sits third with 200, while Pakistan’s Babar Azam follows on 196. West Indies great Chris Gayle is also noted with 191 50-plus partnerships.
SRH’s 255/4 and the big third-wicket push
When SRH batted first, Ishan Kishan delivered the biggest impact among their batters. Kishan struck 79 as Sunrisers Hyderabad compiled 255 for four against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 encounter on Friday.
SRH also got valuable contributions in the middle of the innings, with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (56) and Heinrich Klaasen (51). The match’s turning point came through the partnership between Kishan and Klaasen, who put together 113 runs for the third wicket, a stand that ultimately underpinned SRH’s productive total.
RCB bowling and Klaasen’s thoughts at the break
RCB’s bowling attack had limited breakthroughs, but Rasikh Salam Dar stood out. He was the leading wicket-taker for Bengaluru, claiming 2/52 in the innings.
Speaking during the innings break, Klaasen expressed confidence about SRH’s batting approach as the innings developed. He said he could not see the conditions improving further, adding that history suggests pitches can slow down as the game progresses. Klaasen also noted that once a team is already in the playoffs, it can play with greater freedom—leading to the kind of bold decision-making that can change the complexion of a chase.
He further explained that if the team is able to put up an exceptional score, it can create pressure. Klaasen stressed that the possibility of early wickets can also swing momentum, leaving the opposition uncertain about what happens next.
Salam Dar on regaining rhythm after a slow start
During the innings break, Rasikh Salam Dar described his own spell as one where he initially struggled during the first couple of deliveries. He pointed to a specific over where he conceded 27 runs, saying it helped him settle back into the rhythm of his bowling.
Dar also discussed how the pace of T20 cricket demands quick adjustment. He highlighted that being five runs after nine balls and then accelerating is a process shaped by pressure in the format, and that the team’s overall rate targets mean batters often have to catch up quickly. He suggested the wicket played a little slowly, which affected timing, and added that finding balance made execution easier.
He connected his mindset to the partnership with Ishan Kishan being in full flow, saying that it helps when batters can align their running and shot selection in the middle. Dar referenced how RCB’s middle order has achieved effective partnerships this season. On whether the pitch would slow down more as the game went on, he indicated he expected it might, while keeping the tone light with a hopeful outlook.
