Krunal Pandya had backed Virat Kohli to bounce back strongly after two disappointing outings, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar delivered in trademark fashion with a stunning century against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur on Wednesday. After suffering consecutive ducks in IPL 2026, Kohli faced growing scrutiny over his form. However, Krunal never looked concerned.
The experienced all-rounder had publicly expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to respond like a champion, and the veteran batter lived up to that belief with a sensational knock that powered RCB to a six-wicket win and back to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
Following the victory, Krunal Pandya shared a celebratory Instagram post alongside Kohli. The duo posed with their hands forming “100”, referencing Kohli’s match-winning century. Krunal captioned the image with a cheeky line: “I told you so.”
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The post quickly went viral among RCB fans, especially because it echoed Krunal’s earlier comments after Bengaluru’s previous game against the Mumbai Indians, where Kohli had recorded his second successive duck.
“Virat Kohli is a champion player. When he fails for two games, I get more excited because I know he will come back. He is a different beast,” Krunal Pandya had said after that match.
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Kohli’s response came on the biggest stage possible. Chasing a challenging target of 193, the RCB opener anchored the innings brilliantly while maintaining a healthy scoring rate throughout the chase. After the early dismissal of Jacob Bethell, Kohli stitched together a crucial 92-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal, whose aggressive 39 helped shift momentum firmly in Bengaluru’s favour.
The start was delayed, but the entertainment certainly wasn’t 🍿
🎥 Your complete Raipur Recap of the #RCBvKKR clash 🙌#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | @RCBTweets | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/Xkrgwiuq64
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 14, 2026
Once set, Kohli accelerated effortlessly and dismantled the KKR bowling attack in the death overs, guiding RCB home in 19.1 overs with an unbeaten century.
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The innings was historic on multiple fronts. Kohli became the fastest player to reach 14,000 T20 runs and the first Indian batter to score 10 T20 centuries. He additionally equalled Jos Buttler for the most IPL hundreds in successful run chases.
The hundred also reignited Kohli’s Orange Cap challenge, taking him to 484 runs from 12 matches this season at an average above 53. Once again, when RCB needed him most, Kohli delivered like only he can.
