The cricket world witnessed history on Wednesday night as Virat Kohli hammered his ninth IPL century. After suffering two consecutive ducks, the RCB legend returned to his best form at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. His unbeaten 105 off 60 balls ensured that RCB successfully chased down a daunting target of 193. Consequently, this win has propelled the defending champions to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
A Masterclass in Chasing
The chase began with immense pressure on Kohli following his recent poor outings. However, he looked determined from the first ball he faced. He quickly found his rhythm by smashing four boundaries in a single over against Vaibhav Arora. This aggressive start shifted the momentum entirely in Bengaluru’s favor.
He reached his half-century in just 32 balls. Throughout the innings, he shared a vital 92-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed a brisk 39. Despite losing a few wickets toward the end, Kohli remained calm and brought up his hundred with a single in the final stages. With nine centuries, he now stands alone at the top of the all-time list, leading Jos Buttler and Chris Gayle.
KKR’s Young Star Shines Brightly
Earlier in the evening, the match faced a 75-minute delay due to rain and a wet outfield. Once play began, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a strong total of 192 for 4. The highlight of their innings was a brilliant knock by 21-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He scored 71 off 46 balls, marking his fourth fifty of the current season.
Raghuvanshi stabilized the innings after KKR lost openers Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane early. He built a strong partnership with Cameron Green and later found support in Rinku Singh. Rinku played a late-over blinder, finishing unbeaten on 49 off 29 balls. Although KKR’s bowlers fought hard, they ultimately could not contain a determined Virat Kohli.
RCB Climbs to the Top
This victory is a major statement for the Bengaluru franchise. By moving ahead of the Gujarat Titans, they have solidified their position as the team to beat in 2026. The atmosphere in the camp was electric as players celebrated their senior batter’s return to form. With the playoffs approaching, Kohli’s century serves as a warning to every other team in the league.
Most Centuries in IPL History
- Virat Kohli: 9*
- Jos Buttler: 7
- Chris Gayle: 6
- KL Rahul: 6
- Sanju Samson: 5