Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal Lead RCB to Thrilling IPL Victory Over Gujarat Titans

In a thrilling IPL 2026 match, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a stunning victory over Gujarat Titans. Kohli's 81 runs and Padikkal's explosive 55 were crucial in chasing down a target of 206 runs. The duo's partnership laid the foundation for RCB's success, showcasing their batting prowess. Kohli also claimed the Orange Cap as the tournament's leading run-scorer. RCB's captain Rajat Patidar praised the team's performance while acknowledging areas for improvement. This victory places RCB in a strong position in the league standings, making them a team to watch this season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 25, 2026, 02:01 IST

RCB's Remarkable Chase Against Gujarat Titans

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 25: In a thrilling encounter during the IPL 2026, Virat Kohli commended Devdutt Padikkal for his explosive 55 runs off 27 balls, which played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) successful chase against Gujarat Titans (GT). The match saw RCB chase down a challenging target of 206 runs with seven balls remaining.

Kohli and Padikkal forged a formidable partnership, scoring 115 runs in just 59 balls, which laid the groundwork for RCB's five-wicket triumph. Kohli, who was awarded Player of the Match, scored a brilliant 81 runs off 44 balls, while Padikkal's quickfire innings provided essential support.

With his impressive performance, Kohli also secured the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026.

During the post-match presentation, Kohli highlighted Padikkal's calm and composed batting style, stating that his innings was crucial to their success. He emphasized their effective communication and shared confidence, which allowed them to maintain pressure on the bowlers.

“This is the second time Dev has come through for us. He plays with such freedom and never seems to slog. His innings were vital, and I focused on staying in the game to relieve any pressure on him. We had clarity and intent, which made our partnership successful,” Kohli remarked.

Kohli also praised RCB's well-rounded batting lineup, which includes power hitters like Tim David and Romario Shepherd, alongside the experience of Krunal Pandya. He expressed satisfaction with playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, calling it a special venue and hoping for more matches there this season.

“We have a fantastic batting lineup. The talent we possess allows us to play aggressive cricket. If you see a ball to hit, go for it, as we have the depth to back it up. I’m glad we’ve played five games here, and it’s a special place for our fans,” Kohli added.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar reflected on the match, noting the valuable lessons learned, particularly from bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who set the tone early on. He acknowledged the need to improve their middle-order batting after losing a few wickets.

“We learned a lot today. Bhuvi and Hazlewood started strong, and we knew chasing around 200 was feasible. Our execution in the final overs was excellent, especially with the yorkers. Kohli and Padikkal were exceptional, and we need to address our middle-order issues moving forward,” Patidar stated.

RCB faced an early setback when GT pacer Mohammed Siraj dismissed opener Jacob Bethell, leaving RCB at 26/1. However, Kohli and Padikkal quickly stabilized the innings, with Kohli scoring a classic half-century and Padikkal providing brisk support. Their partnership kept the required run rate manageable.

After the departure of Kohli and Padikkal in quick succession, the match became tense as Rashid Khan and Manav Suthar took crucial wickets, leaving RCB at 175/5 with four overs remaining. With 31 runs needed, Krunal Pandya emerged as the hero, scoring an unbeaten 23 runs off 12 balls, helping RCB secure the win.

In the final over, Krunal sealed the victory by pulling a short ball from Jason Holder, leading RCB to a total of 206/5 in 18.5 overs, earning two vital points and moving them to second place in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points from seven matches.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans set a formidable target of 205/3, with Sudharsan scoring a century. After winning the toss, RCB opted to field first, but GT's openers Shubman Gill and Sudharsan established a solid foundation, with Sudharsan eventually reaching his century off just 58 balls.

GT's innings saw them reach 155/1 by the 15th over, but RCB's bowlers managed to slow down the scoring. In the final over, Jason Holder hit two sixes and a boundary, pushing GT past the 200-run mark.