Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar said Virat Kohli is still at his peak after the veteran batsman won the match in RCB’s IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Patidar hailed Kohli as the team’s “number one chase master” after his consistent run-scoring.
RCB started their IPL 2026 campaign with a commanding victory in Bengaluru, chasing down 202 with ease. After the match, Patidar explained how Kohli’s ability to control the chase once again stood out.
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“Virat Kohli is our number one chaser as we all know. I always enjoy watching his bat from the trenches – the way he plays, the shots he picks and the way he reads situations. It’s always really good to see.”
“Also, I feel like he’s at his peak right now. I don’t have enough words to describe him. He’s my idol and from what I’ve seen on the networks, the energy and eagerness to perform and dominate is still the same. It’s beautiful to watch and I’m learning a lot just by watching him on the networks.”
Kohli’s unbeaten 69 anchored the chase, ensuring that RCB remained in control even as wickets fell briefly in the middle overs. His composure, coupled with his timely acceleration, once again highlighted why he remains one of the most reliable hunters in the game.
HOW VIRAT KOHLI HELPED RCB BEAT SRH
RCB’s chase was started by a sensational start from Devdutt Padikkal who smashed 61 off just 26 balls and put immediate pressure on the SRH bowlers.
Kohli initially played a supporting role, allowing Padikkal to dominate before smoothly taking charge of the innings. As the chase progressed, he ensured there were no collapses and rotated the strike effectively while punishing the loose deliveries.
After the quick wickets of Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, Kohli switched gears. He brought up his half-century and then completed the chase in style as he took on the bowlers in the death overs to seal the win with plenty of balls.
RCB eventually chased down the target in just 15.4 overs, underscoring the dominance of their batting unit. Kohli’s innings once again showed his ability to adapt, anchor and finish – a complete masterclass in the chase.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
29 March 2026 07:35 IST
