IPL 2026: RCB Rides Virat Kohli's Century To Defeat KKR, Jumps To Top Of Points Table

Raipur: Powered by a century knock from Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 6 wickets in an IPL 2026 clash in Raipur on Wednesday. Bengaluru secured victory with five balls to spare. Chasing a target of 193 runs set by Kolkata, Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 194 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 19.1 overs. For Bengaluru, Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 105 runs off 60 balls. For Kolkata, Kartik Tyagi claimed three wickets.

Batting first in Raipur, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a total of 192 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Angkrish Raghuvanshi was the top scorer for Kolkata with 71 runs. In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered their first setback during the Powerplay. Jacob Bethell could only manage 15 runs off 12 balls before being dismissed by Kartik Tyagi. Virat Kohli was at the crease, having reached his half-century. Devdutt Padikkal contributed 39 runs off 27 balls. Captain Rajat Patidar could only score 11 runs off 8 balls, while Tim David managed just two runs.

Kolkata Knight Riders suffered their first blow in the third over when opener Finn Allen returned to the pavilion after scoring 18 runs off 8 balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided Bengaluru with their first breakthrough. Captain Ajinkya Rahane fell victim to Josh Hazlewood after scoring 19 runs off 13 balls. At the conclusion of the Powerplay, KKR's score stood at 56 runs for the loss of two wickets. All-rounder Cameron Green was clean bowled after scoring 32 runs off 24 balls. Raghuvanshi shared a crucial 68-run partnership for the third wicket with Cameron Green (32). Subsequently, he added 76 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Rinku Singh (29 balls; 3 fours, 2 sixes), enabling the team to post a competitive total. The 21-year-old Raghuvanshi registered his fourth half-century of the season. This has been his best season in the IPL so far, during which he has delivered a magnificent performance while batting at number three.

How did Virat Kohli perform?

Virat Kohli had been dismissed for a duck in his last two matches. However, in this contest, he delivered a powerful batting performance. In the second over, he signaled his intent by smashing four boundaries off Vaibhav Arora. Off just 58 balls, he completed his 9th IPL century—and his 10th T20 century overall—in the league. Virat remained unbeaten on 105 runs. In his 60-ball innings, he struck 11 fours and three sixes. During this innings, Virat Kohli also crossed the milestone of 14,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Opening the chase, Jacob Bethell was beaten on several occasions during the very first over. Subsequently, Virat took charge of the innings. Bethell was dismissed for 15 runs off the bowling of Kartik Tyagi. Virat was then joined by Devdutt Padikkal. The duo forged a 92-run partnership off 59 balls for the second wicket. Padikkal contributed 39 runs off 27 balls; his wicket, too, was claimed by Kartik Tyagi. Captain Rajat Patidar could only manage 11 runs off 8 balls, while Tim David scored just 2 runs off 3 balls. Jitesh Sharma sealed the victory by hitting a boundary on the very first ball of the final over. Kartik Tyagi finished with a haul of three wickets.

How did Angkrish and Rinku perform?

Due to rain, the match commenced at 8:45 PM IST. Finn Allen and Captain Ajinkya Rahane put together a 23-run partnership for the first wicket. Allen returned to the pavilion after scoring 18 runs off 8 balls. Rahane then combined with Angkrish Raghuvanshi for a 25-run partnership off 13 balls for the second wicket, guiding the team's total to 48 runs. Rahane played an innings of 19 runs off 13 balls, featuring four boundaries.

Angkrish then formed a 68-run partnership off 46 balls for the third wicket alongside Cameron Green, propelling the team's score to 116 runs. Cameron returned to the pavilion after scoring 32 runs off 24 balls, following which Angkrish, in a 76-run partnership off 46 balls for the fourth wicket with Rinku Singh, propelled the team's total to 192. Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed after scoring 71 runs off 46 balls—including 3 sixes and 7 fours—while Rinku Singh played an unbeaten innings of 49 runs off 29 balls. From the opposition camp, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam Dar each claimed one wicket.