Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a crucial setback in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 after Virat Kohli fell just short of another half-century during the high-pressure clash against the Gujarat Titans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The former RCB captain looked in sublime touch early in the innings and once again showcased the aggressive batting approach that has defined his outstanding season. Batting first after Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl, RCB got off to a flying start.
Venkatesh Iyer provided immediate momentum by smashing 19 runs off just seven deliveries before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him early. However, Kohli continued to dominate the GT bowling attack alongside Devdutt Padikkal as the defending champions maintained a strong scoring rate during the Powerplay. The Kohli-Padikkal partnership added 72 runs and shifted pressure firmly back onto Gujarat Titans. Padikkal played an aggressive hand of 30 from 19 balls, striking five boundaries and looking comfortable throughout his stay at the crease.
Kohli, meanwhile, mixed timing with intent and looked set for another big knock in a crucial playoff game. However, Gujarat Titans staged a dramatic comeback through Jason Holder in the middle overs. The West Indies all-rounder delivered a short-of-length ball around off stump that gripped slightly off the Dharamsala surface and jagged back into Kohli. Attempting to force the ball across the line, Kohli only managed an inside edge onto his stumps.
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Holder erupted in celebration immediately after dismissing the RCB star batter, producing a fiery send-off as Gujarat Titans clawed their way back into the contest. Kohli walked back visibly disappointed after scoring 43 off 25 deliveries, an innings that included five boundaries and one six.
Holder taking 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 of the game 💪#JasonHolder strikes twice in three balls to flip the momentum towards #GT ⚡#TATAIPL Playoffs Qualifier 1 👉 #RCBvGT | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/C6lvFqET52 pic.twitter.com/iGXUL9Kw85
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 26, 2026
The momentum shifted further in GT’s favour just one ball later when Devdutt Padikkal edged behind to Jos Buttler, leaving RCB suddenly under pressure after losing two well-set batters in consecutive deliveries.
Despite the collapse, skipper Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya attempted to rebuild the innings and keep the scoreboard moving. At 134 for three after 13.2 overs, RCB still had a platform to post a competitive total in the knockout encounter.
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Virat Kohli’s dismissal was particularly significant given his remarkable IPL 2026 form. The RCB opener has now scored 600 runs in 15 innings this season at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 164.38. The IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer has once again transformed RCB’s batting approach, providing explosive starts and laying the foundation for big totals throughout the season.
