NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli's first run against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday brought an unusually emotional reaction from the RCB icon, with his animated fist-pumping celebration quickly becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the match in Raipur. After back-to-back ducks in his previous two innings, Kohli looked visibly relieved when he finally got off the mark during IPL 2026 action, prompting huge cheers from the crowd.
The Moment That Sparked the Reaction
The moment came in the first over of RCB's chase of 193, when Kohli worked a swinging delivery from debutant Saurabh Dubey to square leg for a quick single. As soon as he crossed over, the veteran punched the air in celebration, with fans roaring in approval. The reaction was striking because it came from a single run, but context made it far bigger. Kohli had entered the match without scoring in his last two outings, making this his first run in three matches. That brief release of emotion instantly spread across social media. A short clip of the celebration has already gone viral.
Milestone Night for Kohli
The night also carried another major milestone for the former RCB captain. By taking the field, Kohli became the most-capped player in IPL history, overtaking MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. The match was his 279th appearance in the league, moving him clear at the top of the all-time list. Dhoni and Rohit remain tied on 278. That landmark made the occasion significant, but it was his first single — not the record — that triggered the loudest reaction.
KKR's Innings
Earlier, KKR posted 192/4 after a superb 71 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He added key stands with Cameron Green and Rinku Singh to power Kolkata to a competitive total. Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
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