RCB vs GT: Virat Kohli and Padikkal Power RCB to Dominant Victory

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets in the 34th match of IPL 2026. Chasing 206, Virat Kohli scored 81 and Devdutt Padikkal hit 55, propelling RCB to the second spot in the points table despite Sai Sudharsan's century for GT.

In the 34th match of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a convincing 5-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans (GT). Despite Gujarat Titans setting a formidable target of 206 runs, RCB chased it down with ease, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. With this win, RCB has climbed to the second position in the points table with 10 points, overtaking Rajasthan Royals.

The Kohli-Padikkal Onslaught

Chasing a target of 206, Bengaluru's start saw some early drama. Jacob Bethell, playing his first match of the season, was dismissed for 14 runs by Mohammed Siraj. A crucial moment occurred when Virat Kohli was dropped on the very first ball he faced; Sundar failed to capitalize on an easy catch off Siraj's bowling. Capitalizing on this life, Kohli, along with Devdutt Padikkal, launched a fierce attack on the Gujarat bowlers. The duo reached a 50-run partnership in just 26 balls, taking RCB past the 100-run mark within 9 overs.

Record Partnerships and Individual Brilliance

Devdutt Padikkal was particularly aggressive, reaching his half-century in just 20 balls, decorated with 6 sixes and 2 fours. Virat Kohli reached his fifty in 30 deliveries. Together, they shared a 100-run partnership in only 47 balls, effectively batting Gujarat out of the game. Padikkal finished with 55 runs off 27 balls, while Kohli top-scored with 81 runs off 44 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes, before being bowled by Jason Holder.

Sai Sudharsan's Record-Breaking Century in Vain

Earlier in the match, Sai Sudharsan played a magnificent knock for Gujarat Titans, while the left-handed batsman scored 100 runs off 58 deliveries, marking his third century in the IPL. During this innings, Sudharsan also became the fastest player to reach 2000 runs in IPL history. Despite his historic performance and GT's total of 205, the effort went in vain as RCB emerged victorious in the end.