Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 29: Virat Kohli etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to feature in all 19 seasons of the Indian Premier League, achieving the landmark during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.
The milestone came in style as RCB registered a commanding six-wicket victory at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Earlier, SRH posted a competitive 201 for nine, riding on a scintillating knock by Ishan Kishan, who smashed 80 off just 38 balls. He found solid support from Heinrich Klaasen, with the duo stitching a crucial 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Jacob Duffy stood out with the ball early on, picking up 3 for 22 and making good use of the lively surface.
Chasing 202, RCB delivered a clinical response, powered by Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli. Padikkal dazzled with a 26-ball 61, while Kohli anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, guiding the hosts to victory in just 15.4 overs.
The pair put on a match-defining 101-run partnership for the second wicket in just 45 balls. Padikkal’s aggressive strokeplay complemented Kohli’s composed yet fluent batting, which featured crisp drives, flicks, and his trademark wristy shots.
Padikkal brought up his half-century in a mere 21 balls, taking on bowlers like David Payne and Harsh Dubey with ease. Kohli, meanwhile, reached his fifty in 33 deliveries, maintaining control of the chase throughout.
Though RCB lost Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (31 off 12), and Jitesh Sharma along the way, the result was never in doubt.
For SRH, Kishan’s explosive innings remained the standout moment. Walking in after early setbacks at 29 for three, he counter-attacked fearlessly, striking 8 fours and 5 sixes before falling to a spectacular catch by Phil Salt at deep backward point. Aniket Verma added a brisk 43 off 19 balls in the death overs.
RCB’s emphatic win, guided by Kohli’s experience and composure, not only marked a strong start to their IPL 2026 campaign but also celebrated a historic personal milestone for the veteran batter.