Royal Challengers Bengaluru have emerged as one of the most dominant sides in IPL 2026, and their batting firepower remains the cornerstone of their success. At the heart of it all is Virat Kohli, who once again showcased why he remains one of the most reliable performers in the tournament’s history.

Heading into their clash against the Gujarat Titans, RCB already held the psychological edge, having beaten them earlier this season. Kohli, in particular, looked determined to build on that momentum, and his intent was evident right from the start of the innings.

Facing Kagiso Rabada in the second over of the powerplay, Kohli unleashed a flurry of boundaries. Rabada offered width outside off stump, and Kohli, in sublime touch, capitalised with precision. The result was a stunning over that yielded 21 runs, including five consecutive fours, as the RCB opener stamped his authority early in the contest.

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The aggressive approach mirrored the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where batters are increasingly looking to dominate even the best bowlers from the outset. However, the battle between Kohli and Rabada was far from over.

Pace meets 𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙁𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 🤌

🎥 Virat Kohli with 5️⃣ consecutive boundaries against Kagiso Rabada 🔥

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In a bold move, GT captain Shubman Gill persisted with Rabada for another over despite the expensive start. The decision paid off almost immediately. Rabada adjusted his line and length, bringing the ball closer to Kohli’s body and mixing up his pace. After beating the bat once, he delivered a well-directed short ball that hurried Kohli into a mistimed shot.

Looking to continue his attacking strokeplay, Kohli edged the delivery, and the ball looped towards Rashid Khan, who completed a safe catch in the outfield. It was a crucial breakthrough for Gujarat, halting RCB’s early momentum and underlining Rabada’s resilience under pressure.

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The Kohli-Rabada contest has always been compelling, and the numbers reflect a closely fought rivalry. While Kohli has scored at a healthy strike rate against the South African pacer in T20s, Rabada has managed to dismiss him multiple times, keeping his average in check.

Moments like these highlight the fine margins in T20 cricket—where even the most dominant starts can quickly shift with one well-executed delivery.