Raipur: Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), showcased his exceptional talent in a critical match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2026. Following two consecutive matches without runs, Kohli returned to form, scoring an unbeaten 105 runs off 60 balls, leading his team to a decisive six-wicket victory. Devdutt Padikkal contributed significantly with a score of 39.
Kohli’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, allowing him to equal Rohit Sharma for the most Player of the Match awards by an Indian in IPL history. They rank third overall, trailing AB de Villiers, who leads with 25 awards, and Chris Gayle, who has 22.
Most Player of the Match Awards by an Indian in IPL:
During the post-match ceremony, Kohli reflected on the significance of his achievements at 37 and what motivates him. His century marked the ninth he has scored in IPL, the most by any player in the tournament’s history. He also set a record with his 279th appearance in the league, surpassing MS Dhoni.
“I just love batting, even after all this. You know, that’s my core feeling. Look, what an honour to be playing at this level. What an honour to be competing with the very best in the world still. This is all I’ve done all my life. Cricket is absolutely something that I truly love,” Kohli stated. He emphasized his commitment to the sport, saying, “I just give my heart and soul out there on the field, whether I’m fielding or batting, because it’s going to finish one day. And I want to make the most of every day that I’m on the field and just enjoy myself and have a lot of fun.”
Kohli also discussed the mental challenges of sport, noting, “Sport, as you know, teaches you a lot as a person as well. So you build your character slowly and surely when you keep performing under pressure. And for me, even after all these years and numbers, it’s still the love for the game. I just love hitting the ball in the middle of the bat. And that joy is still there.”
With this victory, RCB has ascended to the top of the IPL 2026 points table, effectively securing a playoff spot. In contrast, KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, faces an uphill battle, where they remain mathematically in contention but are nearly out of the race for the playoffs.
