Bengaluru: Virat Kohli was given an animated send-off by Kagiso Rabada during the Indian Premier League 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, adding another dramatic chapter to their on-field rivalry.

The moment came after Kohli, who looked in sublime touch early on, was dismissed by Rabada following an explosive start that had briefly put the Gujarat Titans under pressure.

Fiery duel between Kohli and Rabada

Kohli began cautiously, scoring just one run off his first two deliveries before launching a fierce counterattack against Rabada. In the second over of the innings, the RCB opener took the South African pacer apart, smashing five consecutive boundaries and collecting 21 runs in a single over.

The aggressive strokeplay lifted the momentum for RCB, with Kohli appearing set for a big innings. However, Rabada responded like a seasoned fast bowler, sticking to his plans despite the early assault.

In his next over, Rabada adjusted his line and pace cleverly. After bowling a wide and a dot ball, he delivered a quicker short ball targeting the middle and leg stump. Kohli attempted to play across the line but only managed a top edge.

The ball ballooned towards mid-wicket, where it was safely pouched by the fielder, bringing an end to Kohli’s quickfire innings of 28 off 13 balls.

Animated celebration grabs attention

What followed caught the attention of fans and commentators alike. Rabada celebrated the prized wicket in an animated fashion, staring intently at Kohli as he began his walk back to the pavilion.

While there was no verbal exchange between the two players, the silent stare and body language from Rabada conveyed the intensity of the contest. Kohli, known for his passionate on-field demeanour, chose not to react and continued walking.

Such moments underline the competitive spirit of the IPL, where high-stakes matches often produce emotionally charged interactions between top players.

Turning point in the match

Kohli’s dismissal proved to be a crucial turning point. At that stage, RCB were scoring at a brisk rate, but the loss of their in-form opener triggered a dramatic collapse in the middle overs.

From a strong position of 71 for 2 after seven overs, RCB slipped to 96 for 6 in just a few overs. Key players including Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya fell in quick succession, leaving the innings in disarray.

Despite their aggressive approach, RCB were unable to rebuild and were eventually bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs.

GT bowlers dominate after early setback

Gujarat Titans’ bowling unit recovered strongly after the initial onslaught. Rabada, despite conceding runs early, delivered the breakthrough that shifted momentum in GT’s favour.

Left-arm pacer Arshad Khan was particularly impressive, finishing with figures of 3 for 22 and cleaning up the tail effectively. The disciplined effort from the bowling attack ensured that RCB were restricted to a below-par total.

Conclusion

The Kohli-Rabada face-off once again showcased the thrill and intensity of T20 cricket. While Kohli’s attacking start entertained fans, Rabada’s comeback and animated send-off became one of the defining visuals of the match.

For RCB, the focus will remain on addressing their middle-order vulnerabilities, while Gujarat Titans will take confidence from a resilient bowling performance that turned the game in their favour.