Virat Kohli's SIUUU Celebration Highlights RCB's Dominant IPL 2026 Qualifier Win

RCB Secures Title Clash Spot

In a thrilling IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 match held at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26, Virat Kohli, the star batter for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), emulated Cristiano Ronaldo's famous 'SIUUU' celebration. RCB, the defending champions, clinched their place in the title match with a commanding 92-run victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT).

RCB set a formidable target of 254 runs for the Titans, largely due to Rajat Patidar's explosive innings of 93 runs off just 33 balls. In response, the Titans were bowled out for 162 runs in 19.3 overs, despite a commendable effort from Rahul Tewatia, who scored 68 runs off 43 balls.

Bowling Performance

Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for RCB, taking 3 wickets for 39 runs in four overs, maintaining an economy rate of 9.8. Other key contributions came from Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28), Rasikh Salam Dar (2/24), and Krunal Pandya (2/16), who collectively dismantled the GT batting lineup, ensuring RCB's dominance throughout the match.

Kohli's Viral Celebration

Known for his passionate demeanor on the field, Virat Kohli's celebration during the match captured the attention of fans. As the Titans struggled to chase the massive target, losing five wickets during the powerplay, Kohli's excitement peaked. He performed the 'SIUUU' celebration near the boundary, which was quickly recorded by a spectator and went viral on social media.

Kohli's Batting Performance

In the same match, Kohli contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 43 runs off 25 balls, including five fours and a six. He formed a crucial 72-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 30 runs off 19 balls, setting the stage for Patidar's explosive innings.

Kohli's IPL 2026 Performance Overview

Virat Kohli has been in exceptional form throughout IPL 2026. After nearly a year away from T20 cricket, he has seamlessly returned, becoming a key player for RCB. In his first seven matches, he scored 328 runs with an average of 54.67 and a strike rate of 163.18, including three half-centuries.

In the subsequent eight matches, including the Qualifier 1, Kohli's scores were 19, 32, 0, 0, 105, 58, 15, and 43, totaling 272 runs with an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 165.85. This performance has allowed him to surpass the 600-run mark for the fourth consecutive IPL season, making him the first player to achieve this milestone.