Virat Kohli Breaks T20 Record Despite RCB’s Loss
New Delhi: In a high-stakes IPL 2026 matchup, Virat Kohli experienced a rare setback at the crease as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday. Kohli managed to score only 15 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Sakib Hussain. This early exit added pressure on RCB’s daunting chase of 256 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, especially after Venkatesh Iyer’s departure.
Despite their struggles, the RCB openers initially provided a brisk start, with Iyer contributing 44 runs from just 19 balls, highlighted by four sixes and four fours. However, Kohli’s brief innings included a couple of boundaries, allowing him to set a new T20 world record.
Kohli Sets Record for Most 50-Plus Partnerships
Kohli has now claimed the record for the most fifty-plus partnerships in T20 cricket, surpassing England’s Alex Hales. Prior to the match against SRH, both players were tied at 210 partnerships, but Kohli’s performance in Hyderabad pushed him to a total of 211.
Top Batters in Men’s T20 for 50-Plus Stands:
- 211 – Virat Kohli
- 210 – Alex Hales
- 200 – David Warner
- 196 – Babar Azam
- 191 – Chris Gayle
Kohli Engages in Verbal Exchange with Travis Head
The match featured more drama than just the batting action. Kohli was involved in a verbal exchange with SRH opener Travis Head, suggesting during the game that he could bowl and mocking him for his role as an Impact substitute. Head eventually bowled in the 19th over and took the wicket of RCB captain Rajat Patidar.
Post-match, tensions appeared unresolved as Kohli opted not to shake hands with Head, greeting other SRH players while seemingly ignoring the Australian.
SRH Clinches Victory but Misses Top Two Position
SRH triumphed over RCB by 55 runs after setting an imposing total of 255/4, featuring standout performances from Abhishek Sharma (56), Ishan Kishan (79), Heinrich Klaasen (51), and Nitish Reddy (29). RCB’s bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive SRH batting lineup.
Although SRH needed to win by a margin of at least 90 runs to surpass RCB’s net run rate and secure a top-two finish in the standings, RCB batted strategically to meet the required run mark.
