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Virat Kohli Goes To Bowl, Immediately Retracts As Rajat Patidar Pays No Heed – Virat Kohli’s Hilarious Bowling Gesture Steals Show as RCB Reaches IPL 2026 Final

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RCB Storms into the IPL 2026 Final

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially booked their ticket to the IPL 2026 final after a commanding 92-run victory against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a high-stakes Qualifier 1 clash. The match, held at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, was a masterclass in clinical cricket, cementing RCB’s status as the team to beat this season.

While the defending champions exhibited a complete team performance, one particular moment involving cricketing icon Virat Kohli went viral, proving that even in the most intense matches, the former captain knows how to keep the spirits high.

A Dominant Batting Display

Asked to bat first, RCB unleashed a batting spectacle, putting up a daunting total of 254/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Leading from the front, Rajat Patidar played a sensational, unbeaten knock of 93 runs off just 39 balls. His aggressive approach, characterized by fearless strokeplay and precise timing, kept the Gujarat bowlers under immense pressure throughout the innings.

Virat Kohli also played a pivotal role, contributing a brisk 43 runs off 25 balls at an impressive strike rate of 172.00. During this innings, Kohli achieved a significant personal milestone: he became the first player in the history of the Indian Premier League to score over 600 runs in four consecutive seasons, further solidifying his legendary status in the tournament.

Gujarat Titans Collapse Under Pressure

Chasing a massive target, the Gujarat Titans faced a disastrous start. The RCB bowling unit dismantled the opposition early, taking five wickets within the powerplay. The pressure was immense, leading to uncharacteristic errors; notably, Sai Sudharsan was dismissed hit-wicket, while captain Shubman Gill failed to anchor the innings. Despite a fighting effort from Rahul Tewatia, the mountain was simply too high to climb, and Gujarat Titans were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.

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The Viral Bowling Gesture

Amidst the dominance, the match featured a light-hearted moment that quickly became the highlight of the evening on social media. As Jacob Duffy prepared to bowl the opening over, Virat Kohli was spotted taking the ball and walking back to the mark. He meticulously measured his run-up, adjusted the field placements, and even mimicked his bowling action, teasing the crowd with the prospect of seeing him bowl for the first time in years.

The stadium erupted in cheers as fans chanted for the star to roll his arm over. However, Kohli eventually shared a laugh with the on-field umpire and skipper Rajat Patidar, handing the ball back to Duffy. This playful interaction underscored the relaxed yet focused atmosphere within the RCB camp as they cruised to their second consecutive IPL final appearance.

Kohli’s Bowling History in the IPL

While fans consistently clamor to see Kohli bowl—often cheering “Kohli ko bowling do” (Give the ball to Kohli) during matches—his bowling appearances have been rare. Throughout his illustrious IPL career, Kohli has delivered 251 balls and secured four wickets. Notably, he has not bowled an official delivery in the IPL since 2016. Despite this long hiatus, the anticipation from the crowd remains a constant, reflecting the deep connection between the superstar and his supporters.

As RCB prepares for the grand finale, the team looks not only like a formidable unit on the field but also like a group enjoying their cricket, with leaders like Patidar and personalities like Kohli driving them toward championship glory.

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Priya Kapoor

Priya Kapoor is a leading voice in Indian cricket journalism, known for blending deep tactical insight with compelling storytelling. A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, she started her career covering domestic cricket before rising to become a senior correspondent at Cricbuzz. Priya has reported from ICC events, IPL seasons, and bilateral series, with a special focus on women's cricket and the intersection of data analytics and performance. Her work has been recognized with the Ramnath Goenka Award and a RedInk Award for feature writing. Whether breaking down Kohli’s cover drive or profiling the next U-19 star, Priya brings clarity, empathy, and unflinching accuracy to every piece. She also mentors young journalists and advocates for greater representation of women in sports media.