Virat Kohli reminded everyone why he’s regarded as one of the greats of T20 batting, smashing a brilliant century to lift Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2026 match on Wednesday. Kohli struck 105* off only 60 deliveries, and for most of his innings it never looked like he was losing control—just clean timing, smart shot selection, and pressure absorbed rather than chased. After a rough stretch of four matches without a fifty, including two straight ducks, the 105* felt like a complete reset of his rhythm.
Kohli’s century and the calm that powered the chase
RCB were in pursuit of a target of 193, and Kohli played the kind of innings that turns a run chase into a controlled march. He built momentum without rushing, kept the scoring rate moving, and ensured RCB stayed on course throughout the innings. The chase ultimately ended with RCB reaching the finish line with five balls remaining, with Kohli at the centre of it all.
- Innings impact: Kohli delivered 105* from 60 balls to anchor RCB’s successful chase.
- Consistency before the breakthrough: It was a return to form after four games without a fifty, including two consecutive ducks.
- Result: RCB chased 193 successfully, finishing with five balls to spare.
Stump-mic humour: Kohli and Manish Pandey share a playful moment
Beyond the runs, there was also a memorable laugh during the innings. Kohli was caught on the stump microphone having a humorous exchange with KKR’s Manish Pandey. The conversation revolved around the idea that Kohli would attempt some unconventional shots—specifically ramps and scoops—while he suggested that, since he wasn’t representing India in that moment, he expected those ambitious attempts to land.
Speaking to Pandey, Kohli was heard saying, “Haan, abhi maarunga dekh (Watch, I’ll hit now),” before signalling a ramp shot. He then added, “Ab toh India ke liye thodi na khelna hai, ab toh har shot lagega (Now that I’m not playing for India, all my shots will come off).”
The light-hearted interaction happened while Kohli and Pandey were both part of the same match narrative for different franchises. They previously shared the dressing room in multiple contexts: they were teammates during India’s U19 World Cup triumph in 2008, and they have also been together for senior India assignments and with RCB in the past.
Pandey’s catch, Kohli’s control, and what it means for the table
While Kohli steered RCB in the chase, Pandey contributed a standout defensive moment as well. In the 18th over, Pandey produced a stunning grab at backward point to remove Tim David. David had struck the ball hard, but Pandey reacted quickly, diving to his left to take one of the best catches of the season.
- Key dismissal: Tim David was out after Pandey’s excellent catch at backward point in the 18th over.
- Fielding highlight: Pandey dived to his left to complete the take despite David’s big hit.
- Season significance: The catch was described as among the best of the campaign.
Kohli’s performance did more than secure two points—it helped RCB regain the top position in the IPL 2026 points table. For KKR, the result was another setback: their playoff hopes now sit in a precarious position after this marked their sixth defeat of the season.
