“They said Virat Kohli was over” – Fans can’t stop praising Virat Kohli after RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener

IPL 2026 started with a powerful victory for the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as they thrashed SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Bengaluru on Saturday night (March 28). In the high-scoring game, former RCB skipper Virat Kohli played a great match-winning knock. 

RCB captain Rajat Patidar chose to field first on their Bengaluru return. Struggling at 29/3, stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan (80 off 38 balls), Heinrich Klaasen (31 off 22 balls), and Aniket Verma (43 off 18 balls) guided SRH to 201/9 in 20 overs. 

In reply, RCB chased down the target in 15.4 overs after losing only four wickets, thanks to half-centuries by the unbeaten opener Virat Kohli and impact substitute Devdutt Padikkal. Apart from their 60s, captain Rajat Patidar also played a useful knock of 31 in just 12 balls.   

Virat Kohli guided RCB to secure strong start

While the English star Phil Salt (8) was dismissed in the second over at chase, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal had a 101-run second-wicket partnership. After in-form Devdutt was dismissed for 61 off 26 balls (seven fours and four sixes), Kohli controlled the chase with the other partners, as there was no further threat despite a few late dismissals.  

Virat remained not out for 69 runs off 38 balls with five fours and five sixes. It was his 72nd 50+ knock in his IPL career, which is truly remarkable. Rightfully, Jacob Duffy won the Player of the Match award as the IPL debutants' starting three wickets (3/22) set the real tone for the defending champions.  

Virat Kohli becomes 1st to score 4000 IPL runs while chasing

The leading run-scorer and most 50+ scorer in IPL history, Virat Kohli, also became the first batter to score 4000 IPL runs while chasing. After this match, the right-handed batter scored 4027 runs in 125 innings of the IPL second innings, while it was the right-hander's 30th 50+ score in IPL chasing history. 

Fans come with strong social media reactions for Virat Kohli