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In Qualifier 1 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. The match no.71 had a sensational start with Virat Kohli coming out all guns blazing, and the batter looked in fine form on the night, on a good wicket.
However, Virat Kohli was dismissed on the score of 43 runs, as he was played on from a delivery from Jason Holder in the middle overs. He looked dejected after the manner of his dismissal on the night. Kohli was close to another fifty in the IPL as the leading run getter was standing tall on the big stage for the franchise.
Jason Holder sends back Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal
Jason Holder, after picking the wicket of Kohli, gave him a fiery send-off as he was pumped up. The incident happened in the 8.2 overs as the pacer bowled the ball short of a length and around off, which stuck up on the surface a bit and came back in a touch.
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
Virat Kohli stayed back and tried to heave across the line, but only managed to get an inside edge back onto the stumps. Holder went off for a fiery celebration, and in the span of one ball, the set Devdutt Padikkal also went back in the dressing room, nudging one behind to Jos Buttler. After two quick wickets, RCB are now at backfoot.
RCB’s middle order keeps up with the run rate
The two stitched a 72-run partnership between them as the Southpaw scored 30 of 19 deliveries and smashed five fours and looked in deft touch. But he could not convert his start into a big score tonight.
Virat Kohli scored 43 off 25 balls with the same number of fours as Padikkal but smacked one six in the innings. After the wickets of Kohli and Padikkal, captain Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya are keeping the runs flowing despite the two quick wickets.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill asked to RCB to bat first. They got off to a flying start courtesy of Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, who scored 19 off 7 deliveries, but were dismissed by Kagiso Rabada on the night. They are now on the score of 134/3 in 13.2 overs.
Kohli is the key to RCB’s success
Virat Kohli has been in sensational form in IPL 2026. He has scored 600 runs in 15 innings with an average of 50 and a brilliant strike rate of 164.38. He has been the leading run getter in the history of the tournament with 9220 runs across 19 seasons. This season, he has scored one hundred and four half-centuries.
The former RCB captain has provided explosive starts this season, changing his approach in the shorter format of the game. With the courtesy of his explosive starts, the reigning champions have a foundation to post big totals while batting first and chasing big scores as well.
Also Read: Kagiso Rabada breaks all-time IPL record, leaves Shami and Boult behind
