Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli turned back the clock with a breathtaking burst of strokeplay, hammering Kagiso Rabada for five consecutive boundaries in a single over during the IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans on Thursday.
Kohli’s explosive start came in just the second over of the innings, where he tore into Rabada, collecting 21 runs with five fours, setting the tone for a high-octane contest.
Kohli Joins Gayle, Watson in Exclusive RCB Club
With this feat, Kohli became only the third RCB batter to hit five or more fours in a single over in IPL history. He joins an elite list featuring:
- Chris Gayle – 5 fours vs Ishwar Pandey (2013)
- Shane Watson – 5 fours vs Thisara Perera (2016)
- Virat Kohli – 5 fours vs Kagiso Rabada (2026)
The aggressive intent highlighted Kohli’s ability to dominate even world-class pace attacks early in the innings.
Short-Lived Blitz as Rabada Gets Revenge
Despite the fiery start, Kohli couldn’t convert it into a big knock. Rabada bounced back strongly in the very next over, dismissing the RCB stalwart for 28 off just 13 balls, halting what looked like a potentially match-defining innings.
A Reminder of Kohli’s IPL Firepower
This isn’t the first time Kohli has dismantled a bowling attack in dramatic fashion. Back in IPL 2016, he famously smashed 28 runs in an over against Gujarat Lions spinner Shivil Kaushik, including four sixes and a boundary, on his way to a stunning century (109 off 55 balls).
RCB vs GT: Rivalry Snapshot
- Total matches: 7
- RCB wins: 4
- GT wins: 3
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a slight edge in head-to-head encounters, including a win earlier this season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Teams’ Form in IPL 2026
Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, have had a mixed campaign so far, winning four of their eight matches and sitting mid-table. They entered this clash after a convincing win over Chennai Super Kings.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been in strong form, winning six out of eight matches and occupying the second spot on the points table. Their momentum includes a dominant victory over Delhi Capitals.