Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 105 to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru past Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in Raipur on May 14. The innings lifted RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 table with two matches remaining. Kohli had entered the fixture after two consecutive ducks and four matches without a half-century.
Match Recovery and Key Contributions
RCB chased 193 after losing an early wicket. Kohli shared a substantial stand with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 39, before reaching his ninth IPL century in the 19th over. The target was completed with five balls unused. Kartik Tyagi recorded the best figures for KKR with three for 32, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar each claimed one wicket for RCB.
Kohli on Managing Pressure
After accepting the Player of the Match award, Kohli described pressure as a privilege that drives improvement. He explained that he focused on staying calm, playing risk-free shots, and finding gaps rather than forcing the pace. The century celebration remained brief because securing points mattered more than personal milestones, he said.
Team Outlook and Next Steps
Captain Rajat Patidar credited the bowling unit for restricting KKR after their strong start and noted that multiple players had contributed at different stages. KKR’s 192 for four included half-centuries from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green. Patidar stated that the side will travel to Dharamsala for its next fixture and expects Phil Salt to return from injury soon.
