IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans drop Virat Kohli on 0, pay a heavy price
Gujarat Titans suffered a crucial defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru after dropping Virat Kohli on duck. Kohli capitalized on the reprieve, smashing 81 off 44 balls and becoming the first player to hit 800 IPL fours. His record-breaking innings propelled him further up the all-time run-scorers list.
NEW DELHI: Gujarat Titans will rue a costly lapse from their IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. After piling up a commanding 205/3, GT let the game slip early when they dropped Virat Kohli for a duck in the very first over. Facing Mohammed Siraj, Kohli flicked one that ballooned towards mid-wicket, but Washington Sundar spilled a straightforward chance.
That moment proved decisive. Kohli made GT pay dearly, racing to a half-century off just 30 balls and eventually hammering 81 off 44 deliveries, laced with eight fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 184. 09.
He also took apart Jason Holder with back-to-back sixes during his blitz. In the process, Kohli etched his name deeper into IPL history by becoming the first player to reach 800 fours in the tournament. Dropped on zero while sitting on 799 boundaries, he brought up the milestone in style by driving Kagiso Rabada to the long-on fence.
Since his debut in 2008, Kohli has featured in 274 matches for RCB, scoring 8,915 runs at an average of 39. 79, including 65 fifties and eight centuries, along with his record 800 fours. He has now taken his tally to 807 fours.