Virat Kohli makes script history, smashes the fastest IPL fifty of his career in the final

ByTech Word News

NEW DELHI: Great players produce their best on the biggest stage and Virat Kohli once again lived up to that reputation in the IPL 2026 final.As Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 156 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli produced a masterclass year under pressure, bringing up the fastest half-century of his IPL career in the summit clash.The RCB star reached the milestone in just 25 balls, eclipsing his previous best of 26-ball fifties against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in 2018. Remarkably, the record-breaking knock came in his 19th IPL season and on the grandest stage of all.Fastest IPL fifty will arrive in the title fightKohli had already indicated his intent during a scorching opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer.The duo charged into Gujarat’s attack and powered RCB to the fastest team fifty in IPL finals history, reaching the mark in just 3.3 overs to surpass Chennai Super Kings’ previous record of four overs from 2023. Kohli ran out for 23 off eight balls while Iyer smashed 26 off 13 as the early defending champions.However, Gujarat fought back strongly. After an opening stand of 62, RCB suddenly lost four wickets for just 29 runs, threatening to derail the chase.That was when Kohli shifted gears.While wickets fell at the other end, the former RCB skipper kept his cool and continued to search for boundaries at regular intervals.His breakthrough moment came in the 12th over when he pulled Arshad Khan for a boundary to bring his half-century closer. Kohli celebrated by raising his bat after reaching the milestone with seven fours and two sixes.Fastest 50s for Kohli in IPL (by balls)

  • 25 vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2026
  • 26 vs RR, Bengaluru, 2018
  • 26 vs DC, Delhi, 2018
  • 27 vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025

Among the fastest fifties in IPL finals historyThe 25-ball knock also earned Kohli a place among the fastest half-centuries recorded in an IPL final.Only Suresh Raina (2010), David Warner (2016) and Venkatesh Iyer (2024) have reached the mark faster, in 24 deliveries.However, it was special timing for Kohli.Earlier, the RCB bowlers laid the foundation by restricting Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8. Rasikh Salam took 3 for 27 while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets each.But as the pressure of the title chase mounted, it was Kohli who once again embraced the moment. On a night where records kept falling, the IPL’s biggest run machine brought in another innings for a big occasion.Fastest 50s in an IPL final (by balls)

  • 24 – Suresh Raina (CSK) vs MI, Mumbai DYP, 2010
  • 24 – David Warner (SRH) vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2016
  • 24 – Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) Vs. SRH, Chennai, 2024
  • 25 – Rohit Sharma (MI) vs CSK, Kolkata, 2015
  • 25 – Chris Gayle (RCB) vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2016
  • 25 – Virat Kohli (RCB) vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2026