Virat Kohli’s IPL 2026 campaign has taken on a historic edge as he became the first batter to reach 8,000-plus runs in India. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru star achieved the milestone on Thursday during their match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, sparking a memorable moment before a dramatic innings unfolded at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Kohli’s landmark and the India-run milestone
Coming into the contest with 7,988 runs from 231 IPL innings, Kohli moved into the 8,000 club with a quick burst of scoring. He struck a brisk 28 off 13 balls, a knock that included 21 runs off Kagiso Rabada during the second over alone.
The season’s India tally now reads:
- Virat Kohli: 8,016 runs (232* innings)
- Rohit Sharma: 6,274 runs (237 innings)
- Shikhar Dhawan: 5,819 runs (187 innings)
- David Warner: 5,689 runs (164 innings)
- Suresh Raina: 4,958 runs (181 innings)
RCB’s first IPL 2026 all-out as the innings turns
RCB were returning to the same ground where they had celebrated the title last season, and they started with intent. With Kohli driving the momentum, the team raced along at more than 10 runs per over, highlighted by an aggressive start from the first over he faced—Rabada was struck for 21 runs that over, including five consecutive fours.
Yet the turning point came when skipper Shubman Gill kept faith with his strike bowler, a decision that eventually paid off for the Titans. Rabada struck back to remove Kohli for 28 off 13, and the dismissal triggered a slide in the middle overs.
- Rabada’s impact: 1/38, including the key wicket of Kohli (28 off 13)
- RCB were bowled out for the first time in IPL 2026
- Final team total: 155 at the Narendra Modi Stadium
Wickets in clusters and RCB’s fight to the end
After building from 71/2 in seven overs, RCB’s innings stalled sharply. They slumped to 96/6 in 10.3 overs, losing Rajat Patidar for 19, Jitesh Sharma for 1, Tim David for 9, and Krunal Pandya for 4.
Despite the collapse, RCB continued to play an attacking brand of cricket, which they believed would deny the opposition the chance to squeeze out meaningful momentum. Even so, the innings ended with them all out in 19.2 overs.
Left-arm pacer Arshad Khan then cleaned up the later stages, finishing with 3/22 and wrapping up the tail to ensure RCB couldn’t rebuild after the mid-innings break.
Padikkal’s anchor attempt undone by Rashid Khan
In the midst of the wreckage, Devdutt Padikkal appeared to be stabilising the chase—while Romario Shepherd played the supporting role. However, Rashid Khan, ever reliable, produced a decisive delivery to break the last meaningful resistance.
Rashid Khan dismissed Devdutt Padikkal for 40 off 24 balls, using a skidding ball that cramped him for room and resulted in a chop-on. The Afghan then completed the job with a polished spell returning figures of 2/19.
