IPL 2026: ‘Virat Kohli is not human’ – Ashwin’s hilarious but underwhelming praise goes viral

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Rasikh Dar, right, celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli (AP Photo) Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin couldn’t hold back in response to Virat Kohli’s animated celebrations during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru crushed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to book their place in the final. RCB produced a complete performance in Dharamsala, amassing a massive 254/5 before bowling out GT for just 162 in 19.3 overs. While skipper Rajat Patidar stole the headlines with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off 33 balls, Ashwin was equally mesmerized by Kohli’s unmatched intensity on the field. Taking to his YouTube channel, Ashwin gleefully pointed out how passionately Kohli celebrated every wicket during the dramatic collapse of Gujarat’s top order. “Did you see Virat’s celebrations when the first four wickets fell? Pehle 4 wicket usne hi liya hai (Looked like he took those four wickets). Where do you get that intensity from? Har jo wicket hai, tera wicket jaisa kaise celebrate kar raha hai yaar? Ashwin further said that Kohli’s energy levels were above normal, adding: “Woh insaan nahi hai (He is not human). He is something else. He came from some other planet. I don’t know where he came from; he is not human.” Kohli had earlier given RCB a flying start with a blistering 43 off 25 balls after the Bengaluru side were asked to bat first. He stitched together 72 runs with Devdutt Padikkal before GT made a brief breakthrough through Jason Holder, who dismissed both set-up batsmen in the space of three deliveries. However, Patidar and Krunal Pandya completely shifted the momentum with a brutal counter-attack. The duo added 95 runs in just 47 balls as Gujarat’s sloppy fielding and wasted chances hurt them badly under pressure. Ashwin also reserved special praise for Krunal, who once again played in a crisp knock-out game with a valuable 43 off 28 balls after RCB briefly lost momentum. In typical Ashwin fashion, the veteran spinner quipped: “In an emergency, don’t call 108, call Krunal Pandya.” The RCB bowlers then ensured that there was no comeback from Gujarat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam tore through GT’s batting line-up and reduced them to 51/5 in the powerplay. GT skipper Shubman Gill admitted after the match that his side crumbled under pressure, especially in the field, while shock substitute Rahul Tewatia only reduced the margin of defeat with a struggling 68. With the emphatic win, RCB moved a step away from defending their IPL crown and will now head to the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31.