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Qualifier 1 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala. Match No. 71 got off to a sensational start, with Virat Kohli putting in a strong performance and the batsmen looking in great form on the night on a good wicket.
However, Virat Kohli was out on the score of 43 as he was bowled by Jason Holder in the middle overs. He looked quite disappointed after the manner of his dismissal on the night. Kohli was close to another half-century in the IPL as the leading run-scorer stood out on the big stage for the franchise.
Jason Holder sent back Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal
After taking the wicket of Kohli, Jason Holder gave him a warm farewell as he was in high spirits. The incident occurred in 8.2 overs when the fast bowler bowled a ball of short length, which clipped the surface slightly and came back into touch.
Holder is taking the ππππ of the game #jasonholder Strike twice in three balls to turn the speed #gt β#TATAIPL Playoff Qualifier 1 #rcbvgt | LIVE NOW https://t.co/C6lvFqET52 pic.twitter.com/iGXUL9Kw85
β Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 26 May 2026
Virat Kohli stayed back and tried to heave across the line, but only managed to take an inside edge onto the stumps. Holder went on a wild celebration, and in the space of a ball, the set Devdutt Padikkal also went back to the dressing room, pushing a ball back to Jos Buttler. RCB is now on the back foot after falling two quick wickets.
RCB’s middle order maintains the run pace
The duo stitched a 72-run partnership between them as the southpaw scored 30 off 19 balls and hit five fours and looked in efficient touch. But tonight he could not convert his start into a big score.
Virat Kohli scored 43 runs in 25 balls with the help of fours similar to Padikkal but hit one six in the innings. After the wickets of Kohli and Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya are maintaining the flow of runs despite the fall of two quick wickets.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill asked RCB to bat first. They got a great start courtesy of Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, who scored 19 runs in 7 balls, but were dismissed by Kagiso Rabada on the night. Now their score is 134/3 in 13.2 overs.
Kohli is the key to RCB’s success
Virat Kohli is in sensational form in IPL 2026. He has scored 600 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50 and an excellent strike rate of 164.38. He is the leading run-scorer in the history of the tournament with 9220 runs in 19 seasons. This season he has scored one century and four half-centuries.
The former RCB captain has provided explosive starts this season, changing his approach in the shorter format of the game. Courtesy of their explosive starts, the defending champions have the backbone to post a big score while batting first and even chasing a big score.
Also read: Kagiso Rabada breaks IPL’s all-time record, leaves Shami and Bolt behind
