Virat Kohli's batting wizardry was once again on full display in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, this time during Gujarat Titans (GT) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash on April 30. He lit up Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium after cracking five back-to-back boundaries in Kagiso Rabada's over.
Virat Kohli tonks 5 fours on the trot against Kagiso Rabada
RCB are on a roll in IPL 2026 and at the heart of this resurgence is the legendary Kohli, who has consistently led from the front, setting the tone for the defending champions as they look to maintain their clinical momentum.
Having already defeated GT earlier this season, RCB entered this rematch with a distinct psychological advantage. It was immediately clear that Kohli had no intention of letting the Titans back into the contest, as he signaled his intent with an aggressive and focused start at the crease.
Kohli's sublime touch was on full display when he faced veteran pacer Rabada in the second over of the powerplay. Capitalising on a hint of width outside the off-stump, the 9000-run veteran punished Rabada for his inconsistency, thumping five consecutive boundaries to different parts of the ground. This masterclass in timing and placement resulted in a 21-run over that shifted the pressure firmly onto the bowling side.
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Kagiso Rabada's comes up perfect revenge
Shubman Gill displayed exceptional leadership by showing faith in his most experienced pacer, Rabada, immediately after a bruising 21-run over. Despite the onslaught from Kohli, the Proteas pacer appeared unfazed and returned for a second consecutive over with a renewed tactical plan. He began to cramp the batter for space, generating sharp inward movement toward the body to disrupt Kohli’s rhythm.
The tactical shift peaked when Rabada surprised Kohli with a perfectly directed, high-pace bouncer. Attempting to maintain his aggressive momentum, Kohli top-edged the delivery. The ball soared into the air, allowing Rashid Khan to settle comfortably underneath it and secure his second catch of the match. This crucial breakthrough saw the prized wicket of Kohli fall before the conclusion of the powerplay, vindicating Gill's decision to stick with his strike bowler.
The statistics highlight a clear upper hand for the fast bowler in this high-profile rivalry. In the shortest format of the game, Rabada has now dismissed Kohli five times. By consistently finding ways to remove him, he has kept Kohli’s batting average against him to a modest 22, proving why he remains a go-to option against the world's best batters.