Virat Kohli delivered a vintage, no-nonsense chase as Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismantled the Kolkata Knight Riders’ challenge by reaching 193 and finishing the job to take a major stride toward qualification for the Playoffs. The RCB captain’s return to his best form came in emphatic fashion, with Kohli producing a ninth IPL hundred—the most by any player in league history. His unbeaten 105 off 60 balls guided Bengaluru through a high-pressure chase, delivering the kind of innings that felt tailor-made for his ability to seize momentum when it mattered most.
Kohli’s comeback: masterclass in the chase
RCB’s pursuit of 193 was steered by a classic Kohli performance, built on timing, control and the calmness that has defined many of his defining innings in T20 cricket. With the chase requiring execution rather than fireworks, Kohli played the anchoring role when needed and accelerated at the right moments to keep Bengaluru on course throughout.
- Kohli struck an unbeaten 105 off 60 deliveries to power RCB in the successful chase.
- It was his ninth IPL century, setting the record for the most hundreds in the history of the league.
- His innings ensured RCB reached 193 and closed out the match against KKR.
Emotional post-match reflections
After the contest, Kohli spoke with visible emotion, focusing on what keeps him coming back match after match. He said it is his genuine love for the game that drives his consistent enthusiasm and commitment, even after achieving everything the sport offers at the highest level.
At 37, Kohli has already built a career that most players only dream of. Yet the intent in his batting continues to resemble the fearless hunger of a much younger batter, still determined to conquer new challenges. With another century, he not only delivered for RCB but also gave the wider cricket-loving public yet another moment to celebrate his craft.
What former greats said about Kohli’s innings
Several former players praised the way Kohli approached the chase—highlighting his decision-making, temperament, and the way he controls risk while still maximising scoring opportunities.
- Mitchell McClenaghan (former New Zealand pacer): He suggested Kohli would likely feel “bored” scoring another hundred, adding that Kohli celebrates taking the first run even more than reaching the milestone. McClenaghan noted the innings was set up for Kohli to bat through in tricky conditions, praising his pacing through the chase. He also pointed to Kohli’s partnership with Padikkal, saying it was important after two low scores, and predicted Kohli would “go absolutely bananas” in the next match.
- Ambati Rayudu (former India batter): Rayudu said Kohli appears to attack every ball, trying to turn deliveries into boundaries more consistently than in his earlier years. He observed that while the game has evolved, Kohli has not only kept up but moved ahead—especially in the Powerplay—performing well across situations, wickets and conditions. Rayudu also stressed how little perceived risk there is in Kohli’s batting, even when his strike rate stays high.
- Virender Sehwag (former India opener): Sehwag described Kohli’s chase mindset as lightning quick, comparing it to the famous “Chacha Chaudhary” character known for extremely fast thinking. He said Kohli bats without unnecessary risk, taking chances only when the team truly needs them. Sehwag concluded with admiration, saying Kohli’s greatness has already been labelled with every possible superlative.
- Ian Bishop (former West Indies pacer): Bishop praised Kohli’s ability to calculate chases, saying it is something to appreciate because Kohli himself has acknowledged that one day he will stop playing. Bishop also mentioned Karthik Tyagi, calling his season encouraging and praising his pace and control.
- Mohammad Kaif (former India batter): Kaif highlighted Kohli’s urgency after back-to-back ducks against KKR, saying Kohli reached the crease early—before umpires or fielders had stepped onto the turf—indicating his desire to score. Kaif referenced Kohli’s 105 not out and described the innings as a statement in response, adding “14000 T20 runs” as a measure of the impact of his career.
- Irfan Pathan (former India all-rounder): Pathan focused on the value Kohli places on the first run after consecutive ducks, saying it shows Kohli’s commitment to scoring despite all the achievements. He called it a “pure master class chase” and praised Kohli’s top-class hundred.
