Virat Kohli brought the fire, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed a lot more than his intensity as they tightened their grip on Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Thursday, April 30.
Defending a modest 156, RCB needed early wickets to stay alive in the contest and found them through Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The veteran seamer struck twice in the powerplay to remove both the Gujarati openers, giving the visitors a much-needed opening in a chase that looked firmly in GT’s control.
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The biggest breakthrough came on the final ball of the fifth over when Shubman Gill looked set to drive up through covers. Placed in the ring, Kohli reacted sharply and held clean to complete the crucial catch. What followed was vintage Kohli – a wild look in Gill’s direction, a celebratory roar and the kind of charged reaction that briefly lifted RCB’s energy in the field.
With both Gill and Sai Sudharsan back in the pavilion, RCB sensed an opening. Gujarat’s top order often dictated the course of their chases and Kohli’s lively celebration reflected the significance of the moment as much as the dismissal itself. For a side that had been defending below par, belief suddenly returned to the match.
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However, this faith was necessitated by the chaotic batting earlier in the evening. RCB were bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs after squandering a blistering start led by Kohli.
The former RCB captain swung at Kagiso Rabada in a thrilling early match as he smashed 28 off just 13 balls and took 21 off Rabada’s one, including five consecutive boundaries. For a brief period, the RCBs flew at 10+ speeds and looked poised for a commanding total.
But Gill’s decision to stick with Rabada proved decisive. The South African struck to dismiss Kohli and trigger a collapse that exposed RCB’s fragile middle order. From 71 for 2 after seven overs, they slumped to 96 for 6 in just 10.3 overs.
Devdutt Padikkal made 40 and briefly threatened to rebuild, but the Gujarat attack never loosened its grip. Arshad Khan finished with 3 for 22, Rashid Khan returned 2 for 19 and Jason Holder gave a brilliant all-round performance with 2 for 29 and three catches.
Kohli gave RCB a spark in both the innings. Gujarat still held the stronger hand.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
30 Apr 2026 22:14 IST
