Bengaluru: Virat Kohli etched his name deeper into cricketing history with a fiery knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, achieving two unique milestones during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

The veteran batter became the first cricketer in IPL history to smash 800 fours, while also emerging as the first player to hit 300 sixes for a single franchise, both milestones achieved for RCB.

Kohli’s record-breaking feat

Kohli, who continues to defy age at 37, reached the landmark of 800 fours early in his innings. The historic boundary came off South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, adding yet another record to his illustrious IPL career.

The former RCB skipper has long dominated the IPL batting charts, and this latest milestone further cements his legacy as one of the league’s greatest-ever players. In the list of batters with the most fours in IPL history, Kohli now stands comfortably at the top, ahead of Shikhar Dhawan (768), David Warner (663), and Rohit Sharma (653).

Adding to the celebrations, Kohli also became the first batter to hit 300 sixes for a single franchise — a testament to his longevity, consistency, and unmatched impact for RCB over the years.

Sai Sudharsan powers Gujarat Titans to 205

Despite Kohli’s heroics, it was Sai Sudharsan who stole the spotlight with a composed and commanding century, guiding Gujarat Titans to a formidable total of 205/3.

Sudharsan’s innings of 100 off 58 balls showcased maturity and adaptability. He weathered a testing start against experienced pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who extracted early movement and bounce under challenging conditions.

A streaky boundary early in his innings helped him settle, after which he gradually found his rhythm. The left-hander displayed excellent shot selection, combining classical strokes with innovative hitting as he accelerated through the innings.

Record-breaking knock and smart acceleration

Sudharsan dominated the powerplay phase, scoring 41 off 27 deliveries as Gujarat Titans raced to 57 without loss. He transitioned smoothly into the middle overs, reaching his half-century in 33 balls through a mix of calculated aggression and effective strike rotation.

The youngster then shifted gears, taking on bowlers like Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya with confidence. His innings featured inventive strokes, including a remarkable uppercut for six that highlighted his growing confidence.

During the course of his innings, Sudharsan also achieved a major personal milestone, becoming the fastest player to reach 2,000 IPL runs, accomplishing the feat in just 47 innings and surpassing the record previously held by Chris Gayle.

Sudharsan reflects on milestone innings

Reflecting on his performance, Sudharsan emphasised the importance of finishing innings strongly.

“It was always coming. I was touching the ball well in the last few innings and was really grateful to God. Really happy to contribute to the team,” he said.

He added that the pitch conditions required careful assessment and smart decision-making.

“With the level of communication, we understood it was two-paced and sticky. It was natural instinct to take the game deeper.”

Sudharsan also admitted that his recent focus has been on converting starts into impactful scores.

“I have high standards for myself. I’ve been starting well but not finishing well, so it was more than just a century for me.”

A match defined by milestones

The match turned into a spectacle of records and individual brilliance, with both Kohli and Sudharsan achieving significant milestones. While Kohli’s historic feats underline his enduring greatness in the IPL, Sudharsan’s innings signals the arrival of a new-generation match-winner.

With Gujarat Titans posting a challenging total and RCB banking on Kohli’s experience, the contest highlighted the evolving dynamics of the IPL — where legends continue to shine even as young stars rise to prominence.

Conclusion

Kohli’s twin records reaffirm his legendary status in the IPL, showcasing consistency and dominance across seasons. At the same time, Sudharsan’s record-breaking century reflects the league’s depth of emerging talent. Together, their performances made the Bengaluru clash a memorable chapter in IPL 2026.