Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could not contain his amusement as he reacted to Virat Kohli's animated celebrations during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru crushed Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to secure their place in the final. RCB delivered a complete performance in Dharamsala, amassing a massive 254/5 before bowling out GT for just 162 in 19.3 overs. While skipper Rajat Patidar stole the headlines with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off 33 balls, Ashwin was equally captivated by Kohli's unmatched intensity on the field.
Ashwin's Hilarious Take on Kohli's Celebrations
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin hilariously pointed out how passionately Kohli celebrated every wicket during Gujarat's dramatic top-order collapse. 'Did you see Virat's celebrations when the first four wickets fell? It seemed like he had taken those four wickets. From where do you get this kind of intensity? How can you celebrate every wicket like it's your wicket? I enjoyed it a lot,' Ashwin remarked. He further added that Kohli's energy levels were beyond normal, stating: 'He is not human. He is something else. He has come from some other planet. I don't know where he has come from; he is not human.'
Kohli's Quickfire Start and RCB's Batting Dominance
Kohli had earlier given RCB a flying start with a quickfire 43 off 25 balls after the Bengaluru side were asked to bat first. He stitched together a 72-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal before GT briefly fought back through Jason Holder, who dismissed both set batters within three deliveries. However, Patidar and Krunal Pandya completely shifted the momentum with a brutal counterattack. The duo added 95 runs in just 47 balls as Gujarat's sloppy fielding and dropped chances hurt them badly under pressure.
Ashwin's Special Praise for Krunal Pandya
Ashwin also reserved special praise for Krunal, who once again delivered in a crunch knockout game with a valuable 43 off 28 balls after RCB had briefly lost momentum. In typical Ashwin fashion, the veteran spinner joked: 'Don't call 108 in case of an emergency; call Krunal Pandya.'
RCB's Bowlers Seal the Deal
RCB's bowlers then ensured there would be no comeback from Gujarat. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam ripped through GT's batting lineup, reducing them to 51/5 inside the powerplay. GT skipper Shubman Gill admitted after the game that his side fell apart under pressure, especially in the field, while impact substitute Rahul Tewatia's fighting 68 only reduced the margin of defeat.
RCB One Step Away from Defending IPL Crown
With the emphatic win, RCB moved one step away from defending their IPL crown and will now head to the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
