Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved a step closer to the IPL 2026 playoffs with a commanding six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur on Wednesday. The win was powered by a standout batting display from Virat Kohli, who produced a trademark big-match knock to steer RCB home in a chase of 195. Kohli remained unbeaten on 105 off 60 balls, and his innings helped the franchise reach the target with five balls still left, underscoring how decisive his form has been this season. With the result, RCB finished the day atop the IPL 2026 points table, collecting 16 points from 12 matches.
Even with that top placement in the standings, the tightest race for the top four is currently being led by Gujarat Titans, who hold the strongest projected chance of making the playoffs. Shubman Gill’s side are rated at 94.8% to finish in the Top 4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are next in line with a 92.6% likelihood, while Sunrisers Hyderabad sit at 64.7% and Punjab Kings follow on 62.8%.
Behind that group, Chennai Super Kings are placed fifth with a 41.7% probability, and Rajasthan Royals are slightly lower at 40.6%. For Kolkata Knight Riders, the defeat has dealt a serious blow to their qualification hopes, leaving them with only a 1.8% chance of finishing in the top four. Ajinkya Rahane’s team can still win all three of their remaining matches, yet qualification is not guaranteed. Delhi Capitals have just a 1% shot at making it, while Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians are already out of the playoffs contention.
Huge Feat For Virat Kohli
Kohli’s night in Raipur was not only crucial for RCB’s chase—it also came with a landmark in T20 cricket. He became the first Indian batter to reach 14,000 runs in the format. On the broader all-time T20 run list, Chris Gayle (14,562), Kieron Pollard (14,482), Alex Hales (14,449), David Warner (14,284), and Jos Buttler (14,200) remain ahead of Kohli. The milestone also arrived in remarkable fashion, with Kohli becoming the quickest player to 14,000 T20 runs in terms of innings played, reaching the mark in 409 matches—beating Chris Gayle’s former record of 423 innings.
Kohli’s achievement further highlights his standing among the game’s leading T20 run-makers. Chris Gayle tops the charts for the most centuries in T20 cricket with 22 hundred scores, followed by Babar Azam with 13. Warner and Kohli are tied in third place with 10 centuries each.
