Virat Kohli (Pic Credit: IPL) NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with a breathtaking burst of strokes, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada to script a special milestone in IPL 2026 on Thursday.Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s talisman turned back the clock to his most devastating maximum and came out with all guns blazing, dismantling Rabada in just a second of the innings, leaving fans and pundits in awe.
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Virat Kohli opens his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma’s new academyWith this stunning sequence, Kohli became only the third batsman in the history of Royal Challengers Bengaluru to hit five or more boundaries in a single over – joining the elite list of Chris Gayle and Shane Watson.
Kohli joins Gayle, Watson in exclusive list
The rare feat has only been accomplished twice in franchise history. Gayle first did it in 2013 against Ishwar Pandey in Bengaluru, while Watson equaled the record in 2016 against Thisara Perera.Kohli’s efforts in Ahmedabad now complete a remarkable trio that underscore his enduring class and ability to dominate even the world’s best bowlers.These five boundaries showcased the full range of strokes – from authoritative strokes to elegant drives and late cuts – highlighting why Kohli remains one of the most feared batsmen.WATCH: Virat Kohli’s first strikeRCB batters with five (or more) fours in an over
- 5 – Chris Gayle off Ishwar Pandey (PWI), Bengaluru, 2013
- 5 – Shane Watson off Thisara Perera (RPS), Bengaluru, 2016
- 5 – Virat Kohli off Kagiso Rabada (GT), Ahmedabad, 2026
Rabada strikes back after an early attackThe carnage brought 21 runs in opener Rabada, with Kohli racing to 28 off just 10 balls soon after, with 6 off Mohammed Siraj – equaling the joint fastest start of his T20 career in terms of his first 10 deliveries.However, the competition had one more twist.Unfazed by the early onslaught, Rabada came back emphatically to have the last laugh. Bowling a crisp, short delivery, he rushed Kohli (28 off 13) into a mistimed strike that resulted in a top edge that was comfortably caught by Rashid Khan at mid-wicket.The dismissal marked the fifth time Rabada had removed Kohli in T20 cricket, underscoring the fascinating rivalry between the two stars.Despite his short stay, Kohli’s explosive start set the tone of the innings and gave RCB an early boost. His aggressive intent against a bowler of Rabada’s caliber stood out as one of the defining moments of the match.
