IPL 2026: Virat Kohli's chase mastery nullifies Sudharsan's ton as RCB thrash GT by 5 wickets

Virat Kohli's chase mastery was once again on full display as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) eased past Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in their IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy stadium. With this win, RCB surged to second spot in the points table with five victories.

RCB crush GT by 5 wickets

GT first rode on Sai Sudharsan's ton to post a big total of 205/3. In reply, Kohli (44-ball 81), who was dropped for zero by Washington Sundar, and Devdutt Padikkal (27-ball 55) helped RCB chase down the big total with seven balls to spare.

RCB will next face Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 27, while GT will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 26.

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Virat Kohli snatches game away from GT after 'zero' scare

RCB approached their run chase with an intensity that contrasted sharply with GT's measured performance in the first innings. Despite the early loss of Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli took immediate command of the match, dismantling the Gujarat bowling attack in a mesmerizing display of aggressive batting. His innings gained momentum almost instantly, even after he survived a dropped catch on zero by Washington Sundar off the bowling of Mohammad Siraj.

Kohli and Devdutt’s robust partnership

Kohli quickly adapted to the pitch's bounce, handling pacers Prasidh Krishna and Kagiso Rabada with ease. He struck two fours off Prasidh, flicked Rabada for a six, and pulled his nemesis, Rashid Khan, over mid-wicket for another maximum, racing to his half-century in just 30 balls. At the other end, Devdutt was equally imperial. Playing with authority, he dispatched Prasidh for a pair of sixes and struck Rashid for a maximum, bringing up his own fifty in just 20 balls—ten deliveries faster than his senior partner.

The momentum shifted when Rashid Khan produced a perfect delivery to castle Devdutt. Shortly after, Kohli—who had read the bounce to perfection until that point, ironically dragged a delivery from Jason Holder onto his own stumps. These back-to-back dismissals triggered a wobble for RCB; the team subsequently lost skipper Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, leaving them in a precarious position at 173/5.

With the game hanging in the balance, Krunal Pandya and Tim David stepped up to guide the team across the finish line. Pandya’s rapid-fire 23 off just 12 balls, supported by David, ensured RCB reached the target comfortably. This victory was a fitting end to their home campaign, marking the team’s fourth win in five outings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this season.

Sai Sudharsan's ton in vain

Earlier, GT posted a formidable 205/3 riding on Sudharsan's brilliant century. The Titans seized control early, with openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan building a clinical foundation during the powerplay to reach 57/0.

The duo maintained their momentum well beyond the fielding restrictions, with Sudharsan serving as the primary aggressor while Gill played a measured supporting role. Their partnership blossomed into a 100-run stand by the 10th over. Gill’s steady contribution of 32 off 24 balls, featuring two fours and a six, ended in the 13th over when he was dismissed by Suyash Sharma.

Sai Sudharsan continued to dominate, reaching his half-century in just 33 balls before accelerating to register a spectacular century. His knock, spanning 58 deliveries, was punctuated by 11 boundaries and five massive sixes. By the 15th over, the Titans were in a commanding position at 155/1, but Josh Hazlewood eventually broke the stand in the 16th over, dismissing the centurion and bringing Washington Sundar to the crease.

Heading into the final five overs, RCB's bowling unit managed to tighten the screws, conceding only 50 runs during that span. Following Sudharsan's dismissal, Jos Buttler joined Sundar, though both found scoring difficult against disciplined spells from Suyash Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also claimed Buttler’s wicket for 25. However, Jason Holder ensured the innings ended on a high note by hammering 18 runs off the final over, including two sixes and a boundary, to propel GT past the 200-run mark.