Record broken! Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer register fastest fifties in IPL finals history as RCB chase storm

Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer (Pic credit: IPL) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru launched a stunning attack in the IPL 2026 final and rewrote the record books as Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer raced to the fastest team fifty ever recorded in an IPL final on Sunday.Chasing 156 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB reached the 50-run mark in just 3.3 overs, breaking the previous record of 4 overs set by Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 final at the same venue.A brisk start put defending champions RCB firmly in control after their bowlers had earlier restricted Gujarat to 155 for 8. Kohli-Iyer unleashed the carnageThe opening pair came out with a clear intention and immediately attacked the Gujarat bowlers.Kohli, whose iconic number 18 jersey dominated the walkways, was aggressive. The batting superstar hammered 23 off just eight deliveries, finding boundaries with remarkable ease and driving the packed crowd into a frenzy.At the other end, Venkatesh Iyer matched him stroke for stroke. The left-hander smashed 26 off just 13 balls as the duo charged into Gujarat’s attack during the powerplay.By the time RCB crossed the fifty-run mark in the fourth over, the previous record was already consigned to history.The explosive opening stand underlined Bengaluru’s determination to get the job done after producing a near-perfect performance with the ball.Pitchers set up the platformEarlier, Rajat Patidar’s bowling decision first paid off immediately.RCB’s pace attack dismantled Gujarat’s top order as Josh Hazlewood removed skipper Shubman Gill for 10 before Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Sai Sudharsan for 12 in the very next over.Unheralded pacer Rasikh Salam proved to be the standout player, taking 3 for 27 from his four overs. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar chipped in with two wickets apiece, while Krunal Pandya made a major breakthrough by bowling out Jose Buttler for 19.Only Washington Sundar offered significant resistance and carried his bat for an unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries to help Gujarat build a fighting total.