Raipur: A bizarre moment involving Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Jacob Bethell added a touch of drama to an otherwise high-intensity IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), even as Virat Kohli’s century powered RCB to a six-wicket victory.

Bethell’s unusual dismissal grabs attention

The incident occurred during RCB’s chase when Jacob Bethell was dismissed in an unusual fashion that quickly caught the attention of fans. Facing a sharp short delivery from Kartik Tyagi, the left-handed batter attempted a pull shot but failed to connect cleanly.

The ball took a top edge, struck his helmet and looped back towards the bowler, who completed a straightforward catch. While the dismissal itself was dramatic, what followed made it even more memorable.

During the sequence, Bethell’s gold chain slipped off and fell to the ground — something the batter did not immediately notice as he walked back to the pavilion.

In a moment of sportsmanship, Devdutt Padikkal, who came in next to bat, picked up the chain and safely returned it to Bethell, preventing it from being lost on the field.

Kohli’s masterclass overshadows the moment

While Bethell’s dismissal created a talking point, it was Virat Kohli who dominated proceedings with a match-winning knock. The RCB stalwart smashed an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls, marking his ninth Indian Premier League century.

Coming into the match after two consecutive ducks, Kohli showed intent right from the start. He got off the mark with a single and celebrated with visible relief before taking control of the innings.

His knock included 11 boundaries and three sixes, as he anchored the chase of 193 with precision and composure. Kohli’s innings also saw him become the first Indian cricketer to cross 14,000 runs in T20 cricket, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.

Key partnerships seal the chase

RCB’s chase was built on solid partnerships, particularly the 92-run stand between Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal for the second wicket. Padikkal contributed 39 runs, providing stability after the early loss of Bethell.

Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs, including Rajat Patidar and Tim David, RCB remained in control thanks to Kohli’s presence at the crease.

The team eventually chased down the target in 19.1 overs, finishing at 194/4, with Jitesh Sharma hitting the winning runs.

Missed chances hurt KKR

KKR had opportunities to turn the game in their favour but failed to capitalise on key moments. Kohli was dropped early in his innings, a mistake that proved costly as he went on to score a match-winning century.

Fielding lapses continued as Padikkal also got a reprieve when Vaibhav Arora failed to hold onto a catch. These missed chances allowed RCB to maintain momentum throughout the chase.

Raghuvanshi anchors KKR innings

Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a competitive total of 192/4, thanks largely to a career-best 71 off 46 balls by Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

He played a composed innings, building crucial partnerships with Cameron Green (32) and Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten on 49 off 29 balls.

KKR, however, struggled to accelerate consistently and lost momentum at key junctures, which ultimately proved decisive.

RCB’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and others chipping in with timely wickets to restrict KKR below the 200-run mark.

Playoff implications

The victory strengthened RCB’s position at the top of the IPL 2026 points table, bringing them closer to a playoff berth. With eight wins in 12 matches, they are widely expected to qualify for the knockout stage.

For KKR, the defeat dealt a significant blow to their playoff hopes. With limited matches remaining, their chances now depend heavily on results from other teams.

Conclusion

While Jacob Bethell’s dropped gold chain provided a rare and light-hearted moment on the field, it was Virat Kohli’s brilliance that defined the match. His return to form could prove crucial for RCB as they push for the IPL 2026 title.

As the tournament enters its final phase, moments both extraordinary and decisive continue to shape the narrative — from unexpected on-field incidents to match-winning performances.