RCB Triumphs Over GT in IPL 2026 with Kohli and Padikkal's Stellar Performance
Kohli and Padikkal Lead RCB to Victory
Virat Kohli commended Devdutt Padikkal for his explosive 55 runs off 27 balls, which he deemed pivotal in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) successful chase against Gujarat Titans (GT) during their IPL 2026 match on Friday. In a thrilling encounter, Kohli and Padikkal's efforts enabled the Rajat Patidar-led team to chase down a challenging target of 206 runs with seven balls remaining.
The duo formed a formidable partnership, scoring 115 runs in just 59 balls, which laid the groundwork for RCB's five-wicket victory. Kohli's impressive innings of 81 runs from 44 balls earned him the Player of the Match title, while Padikkal's contribution was equally significant. With this performance, Kohli also secured the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026.
Kohli Highlights Padikkal's Impact
In the post-match presentation, Kohli praised Padikkal's composed batting style, emphasizing that his innings was crucial to their success. He noted their effective communication and mutual confidence during their partnership, stating, "This is the second time Dev has performed like this. He plays with such freedom, and his innings was the key in the first half. I focused on supporting him and keeping the pressure on the bowlers."
Kohli expressed confidence in RCB's well-rounded batting lineup, which includes power hitters like Tim David and Romario Shepherd, alongside the experience of Krunal Pandya. He stressed the importance of an aggressive approach, stating, "We have a fantastic batting lineup. The message is clear: if you see a ball to hit, go for it, as we have the depth to back it up."
Captain Patidar Reflects on the Match
Following the victory, RCB captain Rajat Patidar shared insights on the match, commending the strong start from bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. He acknowledged the team's effective execution, particularly in the final overs, and noted that chasing a target around 200 felt manageable. Patidar remarked, "We learned many lessons today. Our bowlers set the tone, and while we lost a few middle-order wickets, we will work on that for future matches."
RCB's Chase and Sudharsan's Century
In their chase of 206, RCB faced an early setback when Mohammed Siraj dismissed opener Jacob Bethell, leaving the team at 26/1. However, Kohli and Padikkal quickly stabilized the innings, with Kohli scoring 81 runs and Padikkal contributing 55. Their partnership kept the required run rate in check.
Despite losing both Kohli and Padikkal in quick succession, RCB managed to maintain their momentum. Krunal Pandya emerged as a key player, scoring an unbeaten 23 runs off 12 balls, helping RCB secure the win by reaching 206/5 in 18.5 overs. This victory propelled RCB to second place in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points from seven matches.
Earlier, Sudharsan's century helped GT post a formidable total of 205/3. After winning the toss, RCB opted to field first, but GT's openers Shubman Gill and Sudharsan established a solid foundation, with Sudharsan scoring a remarkable 100 runs off 58 balls, featuring 11 fours and 5 sixes.