Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved to first place in the IPL 2026 standings after a clinical 6-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur, propelled by an exemplary century from Virat Kohli. Needing 193 runs to win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru hit 194 for 4 in 19.1 overs, and Kohli finished the game not out; he scored 105 runs off just 60 balls through precise aggression and careful pacing of the chase.
Kohli silenced the critics with an emphatic response to consecutive ducks in his last two matches; he scored a hundred for the ninth time in an IPL game as the RCB batter dominated from the start with a combination of great shots and brilliant running between the wickets. He hit some of the biggest sixes of the day with beautiful timing to go along with the composure that has characterized most of his greatest T20 innings.
After being asked to bat first, KKR set a strong target of 192 for 4 runs scored through high performance from young Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s solid innings of 71 and Rinku Singh finishing with an unbeaten 49 runs at the end of the innings. KKR looked to be on their way to a total over 200 at one point, but were brought back in check very well due to RCB’s disciplined fast-bowling attack.
The choice of using three seamers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Jacob Duffy, worked well for RCB. Bhuvneshwar got Finn Allen out early on, and Hazlewood got Ajinkya Rahane out with an outstanding, short delivery. KKR managed to score 56 runs in the power play, while the RCB seamers exploited what a somewhat two-paced surface from this point on.
Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green put together a 68-run partnership to rebuild the innings after losing 2 quick wickets. Raghuvanshi started off slowly but shifted gears after settling in, using the spin to his advantage and taking on Krunal Pandya with some confidence. Green goes on to score 32 runs before getting out to Rasikh Salam, who broke the partnership at a key time with his skidding ball.
With his aggressive batting style, Rinku Singh was able to give KKR momentum at 153/3 after 16 overs. However, the bowlers from RCB were outstanding at executing their death bowling. In the last four overs, Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, and Rasikh all bowled great yorkers and only gave up 39 runs, which helped to keep KKR from scoring 200 runs.
Saurabh Dubey, the new left-handed bowler for KKR, impressed everyone with the new ball and was challenging Jacob Bethell to find his rhythm. Nonetheless, RCB was able to take charge of the innings again, thanks to Virat Kohli’s and Jacob Bethell’s aggressive approach toward the inexperience of the KKR bowlers. Jacob Bethell put together a quick 50 before being dismissed by Kartik Tyagi with an exceptional bouncer.
Devdutt Padikkal’s addition of 39 runs came in an important partnership with Kohli. Despite picking up three wickets, including those of Padikkal and Rajat Patidar for KKR, Tyagi could not slow down RCB’s chase.
As the target became smaller, Kohli moved through the gears extremely well. Kohli showed signs of strength with a straight six off Anukul Roy and a wristy six against Tyagi before completing his century with a single in the 19th over. Jitesh Sharma then finished the match with a huge hit over long on.
RCB’s win showed they are serious contenders for the title, and more importantly, Kohli’s return to form is the most significant positive for the franchise from Bengaluru.
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