Virat Kohli's Stellar Performance Amid Delhi Capitals' Struggles

In a recent IPL 2026 match, Virat Kohli made headlines by becoming the first player to score 9000 runs in the tournament. Despite his stellar performance, the Delhi Capitals faced a crushing defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. DDCA Director Shyam Sunder Sharma defended Kohli against critics and highlighted the team's inconsistent performances. With RCB's victory, they solidified their position in the points table, while DC struggles to find their footing. Discover more about the match dynamics and expert insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 09:27 IST

Support for Kohli Amid Criticism

Shyam Sunder Sharma, a director at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), has come out in strong support of Virat Kohli, countering negative remarks aimed at the star player. He also criticized the inconsistent performance of the Delhi Capitals following their heavy defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2026 match on Monday night.

Delhi's Performance Lacks Consistency

In a post-match interview, Sharma commented on the erratic performances of the Delhi team, suggesting that luck is as much a factor as skill. He noted, "When Delhi scores 265, they still lose. Conversely, when they can't even reach 100, it seems their stars are misaligned. They might need some rituals or prayers to turn their luck around."

High Demand for Match Tickets

Sharma expressed astonishment at the overwhelming demand for tickets for the match, stating, "In my four decades in cricket, I've never seen such pressure for tickets as I did for this game."

Kohli's Enduring Legacy

The DDCA director praised Kohli, dismissing claims that the seasoned batter is past his prime. He asserted, "For those who think Virat is 'finished', he will be playing for at least another five years. He is the 'Bindas Badshah, Betaaj Badshah.'" Sharma emphasized Kohli's unmatched status in modern cricket, attributing it to both his performance and immense popularity. "No player has ever matched his greatness. His humility in acknowledging others as seniors is commendable, but he stands unparalleled. Just look at his massive fan base," he added.

Kohli Reaches 9000 IPL Runs

In the match against DC, Kohli made history by becoming the first player to score 9000 runs in the Indian Premier League. He achieved this milestone at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where his cricketing journey began. Kohli contributed to an easy 76-run chase, finishing with 23 runs off 15 balls, including a four and two sixes, at a strike rate of 153.33.

Match Summary: RCB vs DC

The Delhi Capitals faced a significant defeat against the defending champions RCB at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. RCB chose to bowl first, and outstanding performances from Josh Hazlewood (4 wickets for 12 runs) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 wickets for 5 runs) restricted DC to just 75 runs in 16.3 overs. Abishek Porel (30 runs) and David Miller (19 runs) were the only players to show some resistance.

RCB's batting lineup responded aggressively, with Jacob Bethell scoring 20 runs off 10 balls, Devdutt Padikkal contributing 34 runs off 13 balls, and Kohli adding 25 runs off 13 balls, successfully completing the chase in just 6.3 overs.

With this victory, RCB has secured their sixth win in eight matches, accumulating 12 points and positioning themselves second in the points table. Meanwhile, this fifth loss for DC, who have three wins, leaves them in seventh place.