Virat Kohli scored his fastest-ever IPL half-century in just 25 balls during the IPL 2026 Final against the Gujarat Titans at a strike rate of 200 plus. Playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli reached the milestone during the run chase of 155. This spectacular innings also contributed to RCB setting a new tournament record by bringing up their team's fifty in just 3.3 overs. Despite experiencing brief hamstring discomfort during his time at the crease, he managed to score swiftly alongside his batting partners, making the run chase look like a cakewalk.
Gujarat Titans posted a sub-par 155/8 in 20 overs after being put into bat. The usually explosive top order, including captain Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan, failed to fire on the big night. Washington Sundar provided much-needed resistance and respectability to the scoreboard, top-scoring for GT with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls.
Coming to bat, Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer shared a blistering opening partnership of 62 runs off just 27 deliveries. Their quickfire stand set up the foundation for RCB in the run chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Venkatesh Iyer took on the aggressor role, despite suffering an injury scare early on, scoring 32 off 16 balls with three fours and two sixes. Virat Kohli played the anchor role, smashing boundaries all around the park before the partnership was eventually broken in the 5th over. But Kohli continued standing tall on the crease in the chase.
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Netizens react to Virat Kohli’s knock in IPL 2026 Final
Netizens flooded X with reactions and praises to another masterclass innings. Some fans pinpointed that the hatewatch of rivals has been wasted by King Kohli’s dominance in the game today. All these years and countless games and players but Virat’s willow always stays at the top reigning his throne as the ‘greatest chase master ever’.
Virat Kohli picked the biggest stage to register his first IPL fifty at a 200+ strike rate. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/7C6yzQY5RY
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) May 31, 2026
Virat Kohli at 37 giving his all despite injury, India's greatest clutch player ever❤️ pic.twitter.com/je3gWwsyku
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 31, 2026
Virat Kohli struggled, he fought hard but he didn't give up!! Imagine questioning this man's dedication for this team and this game. pic.twitter.com/uhMlZU3TdX
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 31, 2026
I would have stopped watching cricket by now, if I were a Virat Kohli hater. I have all the sympathy in the world for them, specially knowing them that their favourites are not even anywhere close to Virat.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 31, 2026
Chill Guy. Ft Virat Kohli version 😭 pic.twitter.com/BLCsHZsUP9
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) May 31, 2026
Virat Kohli - the chase master - has done it for RCB in the final, of course, after the bowlers did what they were expected to do. RCB has been by far the best team in the last two IPL seasons.
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) May 31, 2026
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RCB dominated the whole game and Virat Kohli is still proving his point as to why he is the greatest ever player to don a cricket jersey. Jersey 18 truly never disappoints.
