Virat Kohli’s IPL record makes a pair of ducks especially striking. A score of zero is already uncommon for the RCB batter; before IPL 2026, it had happened just once in 2022. So when Kohli was dismissed for 0 in matches against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, the concern from his supporters was understandable. Even in the same game, Kohli’s response showed why: as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased 193 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur, he celebrated after getting off the mark with a single in the opening over off Saurabh Dubey, with the crowd matching his excitement.
KKR set the tone with Raghuvanshi’s big innings
Kolkata Knight Riders, having been asked to bat first, built a commanding total anchored by Angkrish Raghuvanshi and later boosted by Rinku Singh’s late acceleration. Raghuvanshi delivered a fluent half-century-plus, striking 71 off 46 balls with seven fours and three sixes to provide the backbone for KKR’s chase of a competitive score.
Late surge lifts KKR to 192/4
Rinku Singh then took charge at the end, turning the pressure into momentum as the innings entered its final phase. He finished unbeaten on 49 from 29 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums, to help KKR reach 192/4 and set RCB a target of 193 for victory.
How KKR’s innings unfolded
KKR’s innings featured early intent, a couple of key interruptions, and then controlled acceleration as the batters found rhythm.
- Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen opened for KKR.
- Finn Allen attacked early, smashing Jacob Duffy for 14 runs in the second over.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar responded immediately in the next over, dismissing Allen for 18 and bringing Angkrish Raghuvanshi to the crease.
- Raghuvanshi and Rahane then steadied the tempo, counterattacking with a flurry of boundaries and forcing RCB’s bowlers under pressure.
- Josh Hazlewood broke that momentum by removing Rahane for 19, paving the way for Cameron Green to join Raghuvanshi.
- KKR finished the powerplay at 56/2, with Raghuvanshi and Green rebuilding after the early setbacks.
- Green accelerated in the 12th over, hitting a six off Krunal Pandya and helping KKR move to a 50-run partnership for the third wicket.
- Rasikh Salam Dar struck in the very next over, dismissing Green for 32 and bringing Rinku Singh in.
- In the 14th over, Raghuvanshi raised a well-constructed half-century. It was his fourth fifty of the season, and with four scores of 50-plus in IPL 2026, he also set the tournament record for the most such innings by a KKR batter at the age of 21 in a single edition.
- Raghuvanshi and Rinku continued to press, driving KKR to 172/3 after 18 overs.
- Hazlewood then bowled a disciplined 19th over, conceding only 10 runs to keep the total in check.
- In the final over, Rinku struck a six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but Bhuvneshwar limited the damage and allowed only 10 runs in the over.
RCB bowlers take wickets as the chase looms
When KKR finished on 192/4, RCB had a set target of 193 to chase down. For RCB, the wickets were shared among key bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam Dar each claimed one dismissal as KKR closed their innings and shifted the contest to a high-stakes chase.
