Virat Kohli adds yet another successful chase to glorious CV to push RCB closer to playoffs

May 13, 2026, will always live rent-free in the minds of Virat Kohli fans. The chasemaster gave yet another masterclass in run chases, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) move extremely close to a playoff berth. Virat registered his ninth ton of the IPL and remained unbeaten as RCB routed KKR by six wickets at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur.

Kohli also became the fastest to score 14000 runs in the shortest format of the game. He has scaled the milestone in just 409 innings, surpassing his former RCB teammate, who previously held the record with 423 innings.

Fewest innings to 14000 T20 runs

1. 409 - Virat Kohli
2. 423 - Chris Gayle
3. 431 - David Warner
4. 468 - Jos Buttler
5. 505 - Alex Hales
6. 633 - Kieron Pollard

Virat also shattered a major IPL record as soon as his name was put on the team sheet. The former RCB captain broke MS Dhoni's record for the most appearances (279) in the lucrative tournament.

Chasing 193 to win, RCB raced to 37 in just 3.1 overs before Jacob Bethell was undone by a bumper from Kartik Tyagi, which got too big on him, took the splice of the bat and ballooned in the air, after brushing his helmet, and the bowler completed a comfortable catch.

But just when KKR thought they had got a sniff, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat slammed the door down on their face. Padikkal (39 off 27) and Virat added 102 runs for the second wicket and put RCB in the driver's seat. Padikkal batted with freedom and struck seven fours during his knock.

Player of the Match (POTM) Virat was coming into this contest with two consecutive ducks, but at no stage did it look like it had any bearing on him. The former RCB captain smashed 11 fours and three sixes and paced his innings at a strike rate of 175.00.

Tyagi came back into attack and removed Padikkal on the first delivery of the 14th over, but with Kohli at the other end, RCB had things under complete control. They lost two more wickets before Jitesh Sharma hit a boundary on the first ball of the last over to take RCB over the line.

Earlier in the day, RCB won the toss and put KKR into bat. While KKR got off to a reasonably solid start, they lost both their openers (Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen) inside the powerplay. It was then time for Angkrish Raghuvanshi to showcase his batting prowess, and he capitalised. He added 68 runs for the third wicket alongside Cameron Green to lift KKR from a stutter.

While Green (32 off 24) failed to make his start count, Raghuvanshi scored a well-compiled 71 off 46 balls, studded with seven boundaries and three sixes. An unbeaten 49 off 29 balls from Rinku Singh provided the KKR innings with the much-needed impetus, and they managed to post 192 for the loss of four wickets.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam and Josh Hazlewood bagged one wicket apiece. The loss has pushed KKR to the brink of elimination as they now have to not only win their remaining games but also pray for several other results to go their way.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Virat Kohli

Virat's innings was clinical and calculated. He never allowed the asking rate to creep beyond the reach of RCB. The right-hander batter was quick to put the pressure back on the bowlers by finding boundaries as and when he felt the need. He is now third on the Orange Cap list with 484 runs, behind Sai Sudharsan (501) and Heinrich Klaasen (508).

Turning Point

KKR needed to make early inroads with the new ball to put RCB under the pump. While they got Jacob Bethell, Padikkal, and Virat took the game miles away from their grasp with a stable century stand.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Rajat Patidar (RCB)

(On his injury) I am okay, it was a proper headshot (laughs). (On topping the table) It feels great. You play well in the tournament and everyone came in the different stage and doing their job for the team. We are taking it one game and one step at a time. (On how he felt after the first innings) Very satisfied. After ten overs, the way we controlled their innings….to restrict them (for 192 after their start) is a good sign for us. Last game, we played on the same track and there was variable bounce, and so we played four seamers. (On Kohli) I don't have words, but he is used to doing great things. We have played good cricket. Two more league games, one game at a time. We are traveling to Dharamsala - good track to bat, and we will try to win. (On Salt's possible return) I don't know but he will come soon.

Losing Team Captain, Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)

We thought 190 was a competitive total. The batters who batted thought it was a competitive total. Good effort by the batters. Our fielding was really good (in last few games). Defending a total, that catch of Kohli, you want to hang on - that I felt was the difference. First six overs, we knew it was going to be easy (to bat on). Last five games, in the middle overs, we took wickets. But credit goes to Kohli, and that partnership between him and Padikkal was the game. While chasing a total, Virat is a dangerous player. He is a dangerous player anyway. Padikkal has also been batting well. Guys are working hard but you can drop catches - that is okay. (On Tyagi) He has been really good for us, working really hard. What I like about him is his clear mindset.