Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s heartbeat Virat Kohli is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down even at the age of 37. The legendary batter continues to dominate T20 cricket with unreal consistency and IPL 2026 has once again turned into another special season for the former RCB captain.

The veteran opener once again delivered on the big stage during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala. Kohli gave RCB the perfect start at the top with a fluent and aggressive knock, helping the defending champions gain early momentum before they completely crushed GT in a one-sided contest.

With his crucial innings in the knockout clash, Kohli also crossed the 600-run mark in IPL 2026, at an impressive average of 50 while maintaining a stunning strike rate of 164.38 — numbers that are extremely rare in the shortest format of the game.

Virat Kohli becomes first batter in IPL history to achieve massive milestone

With another 600-plus run campaign, Kohli has now become the first batter in IPL history to score 600 or more runs in four consecutive seasons, further proving why he remains one of the greatest batters the tournament has ever seen.

His consistency over the last four years has been nothing short of extraordinary:

  • IPL 2023 – 639 runs | Average: 53.25 | Strike Rate: 139.82
  • IPL 2024 – 741 runs | Average: 61.75 | Strike Rate: 154.70
  • IPL 2025 – 657 runs | Average: 54.75 | Strike Rate: 144.71
  • IPL 2026 – 600+ runs | Average: 50.00 | Strike Rate: 164.38

Rajat Patidar powers RCB to dominant win over Gujarat Titans

RCB’s batting unit delivered a complete masterclass in Qualifier 1 as the defending champions stormed into their second consecutive IPL final with a massive 92-run victory over GT.

Kohli laid the perfect foundation with a crisp 43 off just 25 deliveries before being cleaned up by Jason Holder. However, it was skipper Rajat Patidar who completely took the game away from Gujarat Titans with a jaw-dropping innings in the middle order.

Walking in at number four, Patidar smashed 93 runs off only 33 balls, hammering five fours and nine sixes at a breathtaking strike rate of 281. His brutal assault helped RCB pile up a mammoth 254/5 in 20 overs — the highest total ever recorded in an IPL knockout game.

In reply, GT’s batting lineup completely collapsed under pressure as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Rahul Tewatia fought a lone battle with a fighting 68, but the target proved far too much as Gujarat Titans were eventually bowled out for 162.

RCB eventually sealed a crushing 92-run win to book their place in yet another IPL final in dominant fashion.

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