Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 105 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a six-wicket triumph over Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, moving to the summit of the IPL table. Chasing a target of 193 in Raipur, the defending champions got the lift they needed after Kohli’s back-to-back scores of zero. His 60-ball knock included 11 fours and three sixes, helping Bengaluru stay on course for the playoffs.
Quick facts
- Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 6 wickets
- Chase in Raipur: Bengaluru chased 193
- Kohli: 105* off 60 balls (9th IPL century; 11 fours, 3 sixes)
- Bengaluru record: 8 wins in 12 matches; top of the 10-team table
- Qualification picture: Teams with 16 points typically reach the playoffs; RCB are close
- KKR situation: Can reach a maximum of 15 points and are close to elimination
- Playoffs: Top four teams qualify; final scheduled in Ahmedabad on May 31
Bengaluru’s win was their eighth in only 12 outings this season, and it lifted them above Gujarat Titans on net run-rate in a tight race for the top spot. With the playoff threshold widely expected to sit at 16 points, RCB look near-certain to be part of the knockouts. Kolkata, meanwhile, are staring at a steep task ahead, with their maximum possible total capped at 15.
In the bigger context of the tournament, Kolkata’s defeat marked their sixth loss in 11 matches and further dented their slim chances of reaching the playoffs. The league format keeps it simple: the top four teams advance, and the final is set for May 31 in Ahmedabad.
Kohli’s chase began with a calm start, taking a single in the opening over and even celebrating with a mock gesture after enduring consecutive ducks. The innings gained real momentum when he found his rhythm after the early setback of losing the first wicket, with Jacob Bethell dismissed for 15.
After Bethell’s departure, Kohli combined effectively with Devdutt Padikkal, who struck 39, to build a 92-run stand for the second wicket. Kolkata’s bowlers did manage to create another turning point when Kohli was dropped on 21, but the reprieve proved costly as he punished the mistake and reached his fifty in 32 balls.
Bengaluru’s middle overs saw further wickets fall, including Padikkal, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and then Tim David. The dismissals were punctuated by a memorable moment in the field when Manish Pandey pulled off a one-handed diving catch at backward point.
Despite the pressure of wickets around him, Kohli stayed composed and brought up his first century of the season. As the applause grew, Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter, finished the job by striking the winning runs and sealing the victory for RCB.
Earlier: KKR’s total
Before the chase, Kolkata set a competitive score of 192 for 4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided the foundation with a 46-ball 71, then looked to build partnerships that kept Bengaluru’s bowlers working hard.
Cameron Green contributed 32, while Rinku Singh ended on a high note with an unbeaten 49 off 29 balls. Rinku’s late acceleration helped stretch the innings and give KKR a target that put the result in the balance for the final overs.
With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam shared the wickets, taking one each as Bengaluru chased down the total in the end.
