New Delhi: In IPL most cricketers would be overjoyed after smashing 81 runs off 44 balls to chase down a massive target of 206 runs. You would expect a player to be walking around, shaking hands with teammates, and basking in the glory of being named Player of the Match.
But after helping RCB beat GT, Kohli walked off the field unsatisfied, not at anyone else, but at himself. He felt he should’ve made it a hundred.
His reaction reveals far more about him than any statistic ever could. Yes, the numbers are impressive—328 runs in seven matches, the Orange Cap holder, but it is his mindset that truly sets him apart.
What Went Down at the Chinnaswamy
GT made a strong total off 205, with the help of sai sudharsan 100 off 58 and a solid opening partnership with Shubman Gill. Sudharsan himself said the pitch is sticky and two paced, in the first half GT looked like they had the game in their hands.
In second inning Kohli stepped in and changed the game along with Devdutt Padikakal 55 off 27, they both built a 115 run partnership that completely shifted the momentum for RCB. Padikkal attacked from the start and scored quickly, while Kohli chased the target with his clever batting.
Assistant Coach Vijay Dahiya-
After the match coach said “He doesn’t just play the game; he tries to bend it to his will,” It’s a perfect description. While other batters wait to see how the pitch behaves, Kohli decides how he’s going to treat the pitch.
The statistics are now reaching unprecedented heights:
While Virat was busy being frustrated with himself, he was—quite effortlessly, rewriting his own record books (once again). His current standing is as follows:
- Total IPL Runs: 8,908 (nearing the 9,000-run milestone).
- The 800 Club: He has become the first player in IPL history to hit 800 fours.
- Elite Company: He has now joined Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma in the 300-sixes club.
- The 2026 Race: He currently holds the Orange Cap, having scored 328 runs in 7 matches.
Current orange cap holder
| Player | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 328 | 7 |
| Abhishek Sharma (SRH) | 323 | 7 |
| Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) | 320 | 7 |
Where GT missed out
GT didn’t play poorly. In fact, they got off to a very good start. However, they weren’t able to accelerate their scoring pace effectively in the final overs.
They fell short by about 10–15 runs—and against a player like Kohli, even this small margin becomes a significant one. When chasing a target, even a score that is slightly below average doesn’t feel secure.
The most special moment of the night wasn’t a cover drive. It was Kohli’s post-match interview, where he set aside his own records to hype praise on Devdutt Padikkal, describing the 24-year-old’s innings as the biggest difference.
At the age of 37, Kohli ought to be slowing down a bit, playing like a “veteran.” Instead, he is the league’s leading run-scorer and is playing even more aggressively than players half his age.
He wasn’t chasing just 81 runs — he was aiming for a hundred. The Orange Cap wasn’t his goal either; what he really wanted was a perfect game. RCB won the match, but Kohli left the ground as the most unsatisfied man in Bangalore. And honestly? That’s exactly why he’s still the best in the business.
