NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli returned to form in style with an unbeaten 105 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in IPL 2026 on Wednesday. Chasing 193 in Raipur, RCB got home with five balls to spare, thanks mainly to Kohli’s calm and controlled knock after a rough patch that included two straight ducks.
The former RCB captain kept his celebration quiet after reaching his century, saying the team’s situation in the points table mattered more than personal milestones. Kohli explained that pressure motivates him and helps him improve.“The celebration wasn’t a big one because we know the importance of points. There’s a reason why people say pressure is a privilege. Good pressure always makes you improve your game,” Kohli said after winning the Player of the Match award.He added, “My positions at the crease, not trying anything extravagant, find the gaps, staying in the present, I was able to back my game, risk-free cricket.”Kohli hit 11 fours and three sixes in his 60-ball innings while Devdutt Padikkal chipped in with 39. Earlier, KKR had posted 192/4 with useful contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green. Kartik Tyagi impressed with the ball for KKR, taking 3/32.The win pushed RCB to the top of the IPL table with 16 points from 12 matches. Captain Rajat Patidar praised the team’s all-round effort and said the side is staying focused on one game at a time.“It feels great. Everyone came in at different stages and did their job for the team,” Patidar said. Praising Kohli, he added, “I don’t have words, but he is used to doing great things.”
