Raipur, May 14: Virat Kohli’s stellar century propelled the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a commanding six-wicket victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 57th match of IPL 2026. This win catapults RCB to the top of the points table.
Batting first after losing the toss at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, KKR managed to score 192 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The team lost both openers, Finn Allen (18) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (19), with the score at just 48.
Ankush Raghuvanshi provided stability, forming a crucial partnership of 68 runs for the third wicket with Cameron Green off 46 balls. Green contributed 32 runs from 24 balls, hitting one six and three fours before returning to the pavilion. Raghuvanshi continued to build on the innings, adding 76 runs for the fourth wicket with Rinku Singh off 46 balls.
Rinku remained unbeaten on 49 runs from 29 balls, including two sixes and three fours, while Raghuvanshi scored 71 runs off 46 balls, featuring three sixes and seven fours. From the RCB bowling side, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam Dar each took one wicket.
Chasing a daunting target, RCB clinched the match in just 19.1 overs. The opening pair of Jacob Bethel and Virat Kohli provided a solid start, amassing 37 runs off 20 balls. Kohli then partnered with Devdutt Padikkal, and together they put on 92 runs in 59 balls.
Padikkal scored 39 runs from 27 balls, hitting seven fours before being dismissed. Kohli then added 28 runs with captain Rajat Patidar (11) and 23 runs with Tim David (2), bringing RCB closer to victory.
After the fall of these wickets, Kohli took charge, completing his ninth IPL century in just 58 balls. He finished with an impressive 105 runs off 60 balls, including three sixes and eleven fours. KKR’s Kartik Tyagi was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets, while Sunil Narine took one.
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