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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced a clinical batting performance to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by six wickets in Match 57 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Chasing a challenging target of 193, RCB rode on a breathtaking unbeaten century from Virat Kohli to seal victory with five balls remaining and strengthen their position in the points table.
After opting to bowl first, RCB had a mixed outing with the ball as KKR posted an imposing 192/4 in their 20 overs. However, Kohli’s masterclass during the chase completely shifted the momentum in Bengaluru’s favour as the veteran batter silenced critics with one of his finest IPL knocks in recent seasons.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh shine for KKR
KKR began aggressively despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Finn Allen gave the side early momentum with a quickfire 18 off just eight deliveries, smashing three boundaries and a six before departing. Captain Ajinkya Rahane also looked positive during his 19-run cameo that included three fours and a six.
The innings was then steadied brilliantly by young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who continued his impressive IPL 2026 campaign with a fluent 71 off 46 balls. The stylish right-hander mixed elegance with aggression, striking seven fours and three sixes while keeping the scoreboard moving throughout the middle overs.
Cameron Green chipped in with a valuable 32 off 24 balls, but it was Rinku Singh’s late assault that pushed KKR close to the 200-run mark. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 49 from 29 deliveries, hammering three fours and two sixes in a superb finishing effort.
For RCB, the bowling effort was decent without being exceptional. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood picked up a wicket each, while Rasikh Dar Salam also contributed with one scalp. Jacob Duffy and Krunal Pandya struggled to contain the flow of runs on a batting-friendly surface.
Virat Kohli produces vintage masterclass
RCB’s chase started positively but not explosively. Jacob Bethell played a brief attacking knock of 15 before falling early, bringing Kohli firmly into the spotlight. The former RCB captain looked in complete control from the beginning and gradually turned the chase into a one-man exhibition.
Kohli paced his innings to perfection, rotating strike regularly before unleashing his trademark drives and lofted strokes against both pace and spin. He found good support from Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a fluent 39 off 27 balls with seven boundaries.
Even after the dismissals of Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, Kohli remained calm and composed. The star batter brought up a magnificent unbeaten 105 off just 60 deliveries, decorated with 11 fours and three sixes. It was a knock filled with authority, timing, and immense confidence as he guided RCB home in the 20th over. Jitesh Sharma added the finishing touches with a quick cameo, while Tim David’s short stay did little to disrupt Bengaluru’s momentum.
Among the KKR bowlers, Kartik Tyagi emerged as the standout performer. The pacer claimed three wickets for 32 runs in his four-over spell and consistently troubled the RCB middle order with his pace variations. Veteran spinner Sunil Narine also picked up a wicket and maintained control during the middle overs. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to stop Kohli’s relentless charge as Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, and Green proved expensive on the night.
Also WATCH: Virat Kohli breaks duck streak with animated celebration during RCB vs KKR clash in IPL 2026
Here’s how fans reacted:
The 𝗔 𝗨 𝗥 𝗔 of the King who has 9️⃣ centuries in Red, Blue, and Gold. 🤌✨❤️ pic.twitter.com/KbZlnBO0S4
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 13, 2026
Brilliant work by Chase Master @imVkohli ♠️ @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/jkjxSSSTr9
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 13, 2026
Great players always find a way to respond 👏 @imVkohli bouncing back with a hundred was special to watch. Well played bro 💯🙌 pic.twitter.com/HZkXkOVxTb
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 13, 2026
A magnificent 100 by Virat Kohli in a pressure chase against KKR. Time and again, he reminds us why he remains one of the finest ambassadors of the game. Class, composure, and unmatched consistency. @imVkohli @BCCI @IPL pic.twitter.com/sDBUQHlMLw
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 13, 2026
Pure master class chase from Virat Kohli with a top class 💯
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 13, 2026
IPL gyaan: The GREATEST CHASE MASTER OF ALL TIME: Vintage @imVkohli at 37 plays with more zest than those half his age. That flick over mid wicket and straight six: CLASSIC Virat ! 👍👍⭐️
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 13, 2026
Death, taxes, and Virat Kohli playing a match winning knock in a run chase. The three certainties of life. #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/9BGRVHH5f4
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 13, 2026
And that’s why he celebrated that first run … Already had the two zeroes in his pocket and the plan to put them together .. 😆 – 💯 That six against Anukul and the flick of the wrist was absolute show-offf … And we’re not complaining. What a legend this man is @imVkohli bossss…
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) May 13, 2026
HUNDRED BY VIRAT KOHLI. 🥶
– The Chase master has once again delivered, he’s simply the greatest the game will ever see. Unreal dominance! pic.twitter.com/mSlwKKS7c8
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 13, 2026
No one celebrates cricket like @imVkohli .
No one feels victories like RCB fans ❤️😭🔥
Tonight belongs to the King 👑🏆#ViratKohli #RCB #AnanyaBirla #KingKohli #RCBWin pic.twitter.com/ZDg3zlTLwg— Ananya Birla ✨️ (@AnanyaBirlaX) May 13, 2026
🚨 KING KOHLI CREATED HISTORY 🚨
– Virat Kohli becomes the first Asian to completed 14,000 runs in T20 Cricket. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6KTpQIHhJl
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 13, 2026
What a century this was from Virat Kohli 💀🔥
People started underestimating him just because of two back-to-back ducks 🥶
But that’s exactly when the KING responds the hardest 💥🔥He has been doing this for a very long time now, facing criticism, doubts, and pressure, then… pic.twitter.com/9oGNrfv0zq
— FailedCricketer (@FailedCrickt) May 13, 2026
This picture completely sums up Virat Kohli’s greatness.
Played just 6 dots in 39 balls he faced, 19 singles & 7 doubles. Peak Kohli template. Constant strike rotation, minimal risk & relentless pressure on bowlers. He can hit boundaries better than most, but still chooses to bat… pic.twitter.com/pYs3RTKBs6— Kohlistic🔥 (@Kohlistic18) May 13, 2026
A proper lesson for every youngster watching Virat Kohli bat tonight. Just study how he constructed the innings from start to finish.
The way he utilized the powerplay, kept rotating strike with constant singles and doubles, and still looked fresh deep into the innings — that’s… https://t.co/lBGFVGsWF2
— PitchTalks (@ThePitchTalks) May 13, 2026
Watching Virat Kohli’s century in a chase pic.twitter.com/lnUAzhI7gm
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 13, 2026
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
