In a thrilling IPL encounter in Raipur, Virat Kohli smashed his eighth IPL century, equaling the legendary record held by Rohit Sharma for most centuries in the tournament's history. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star reached the milestone off just 59 balls, propelling his team to a formidable total against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
A Masterclass in Batting
Kohli's innings was a masterclass in pacing and aggression. He started cautiously, rotating the strike before accelerating in the middle overs. His century came with a flurry of boundaries, including three consecutive sixes off Sunil Narine in the 16th over. The crowd at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium erupted as Kohli raised his bat, acknowledging the applause.
The 37-year-old has been in sublime form throughout the season, and this knock further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in IPL history. He now shares the record for most IPL centuries with Rohit Sharma, who has also scored eight tons. Chris Gayle, with six centuries, is third on the list.
Key Moments of the Innings
- 50 off 38 balls: Kohli reached his half-century with a single off Andre Russell.
- 100 off 59 balls: He completed his century with a six over long-on off Harshit Rana.
- Partnerships: Kohli added 112 runs for the second wicket with Faf du Plessis, who scored 68 off 45.
This was Kohli's first century of IPL 2026, and it came at a crucial juncture as RCB look to secure a playoff spot. His innings included 12 fours and 5 sixes, with a strike rate of over 169.
Record-Breaking Feat
Kohli's eighth IPL century puts him in an elite club. He now has the joint-most hundreds in the tournament, alongside Rohit Sharma. The achievement is even more remarkable considering Kohli's consistency over the years. He has been the leading run-scorer in IPL history, with over 7,500 runs, and this century adds to his tally of 50-plus scores.
Speaking after the innings, Kohli said, "It feels great to equal Rohit's record. He is a great player and a good friend. But my focus is on helping the team win."
RCB posted a total of 215/4 in their 20 overs, with Kohli's unbeaten 108 off 63 balls being the cornerstone. KKR's chase faltered early, and they managed only 178/8, giving RCB a crucial 37-run victory.
The win keeps RCB's hopes alive for a top-two finish, while KKR will need to regroup for their next match.
