Virat Kohli Smashes Five Consecutive Fours Off Kagiso Rabada Before Fall, Joins Elite RCB Club

Key facts

• Virat Kohli hit five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in the second over of RCB's innings.
• Kohli became the first batter to score 8,000 IPL runs in India.
• Kohli reached 450 sixes in T20 cricket, the second Indian after Rohit Sharma (555).
• Kagiso Rabada dismissed Kohli for 28 off 13 balls in the fourth over.
• Rabada is the first non-Indian bowler to take Kohli's wicket five times in T20s.
• Sandeep Sharma holds the record for most Kohli dismissals in T20s with 7.
• Kohli's five fours in one over matched Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in RCB history.
• RCB leapfrogged Rajasthan Royals to second place in the IPL 2026 points table; GT remained seventh.

Kohli's Blitz and Rabada's Retort

Virat Kohli produced a breathtaking burst of strokeplay at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in the second over of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's innings against Gujarat Titans. The sequence – 4,4,4,4,4 – drew roars from the crowd and placed Kohli alongside Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in an exclusive RCB club: only three batters have hit five boundaries in a single over for the franchise in the IPL. But Rabada, leading Gujarat Titans' fast-bowling attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, struck back in the fourth over. On the second ball of his second over, Rabada had Kohli caught by Rashid Khan inside the 30-yard circle for 28 off 13 balls, which included five fours and one six. The dismissal gave Rabada a unique distinction: he became the first non-Indian bowler to take Virat Kohli's wicket five times in T20 cricket.

A Record-Breaking Innings Despite Early Exit

Before his dismissal, Kohli entered the record books by becoming the first batter to score 8,000 IPL runs on Indian soil. He also reached 450 sixes in T20 cricket, becoming only the second Indian to achieve the milestone after Rohit Sharma, who leads with 555. Kohli's 450th six came from his first maximum of the match. Across 423 T20s and 406 innings, Kohli now has 13,922 runs at an average of 42.18, with 1,252 fours and 450 sixes. In the IPL alone, he has struck 306 sixes. His T20I career, which he retired from after India's 2024 ICC T20 World Cup triumph, includes 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, with one century and 38 half-centuries.

Rabada Joins Elite Company in Dismissing Kohli

Kagiso Rabada, who represents South Africa and has played for Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings before joining Gujarat Titans in 2025, has now dismissed Kohli five times in 18 T20 matches. This places him ahead of other non-Indian bowlers such as Sunil Narine, Jacques Kallis, and Mitchell McClenaghan, each of whom has taken Kohli's wicket four times in T20s. Among Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have also dismissed Kohli five times in the format. The overall record for most Kohli dismissals in T20s belongs to Sandeep Sharma, who has taken his wicket seven times in 21 matches while playing for Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals. Ashish Nehra is second with six dismissals in 13 matches.

Match Context and Points Table Implications

The fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium saw Gujarat Titans win the toss and opt to bowl first, with Prasidh Krishna again omitted from the playing XI. Kohli's early fireworks helped RCB post a competitive total, and the team later leapfrogged Rajasthan Royals to take second position in the IPL 2026 points table. Gujarat Titans remained seventh. Earlier in the match, a catch controversy involving Jason Holder left Kohli fuming, and the MCC later defended an 'obstructing the field' call against Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The match also featured a viral moment when Jos Buttler made a humorous remark about Sooryavanshi, referencing artificial intelligence.

Kohli's Legacy and the Road Ahead

Kohli's ability to dominate world-class bowlers like Rabada, even in a short innings, underscores his enduring class. His five consecutive fours off Rabada were a reminder of his aggressive intent, while Rabada's response highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket. With RCB now second in the standings and GT struggling at seventh, both teams have much to play for as the tournament progresses. Kohli will look to build on his form, while Rabada will aim to continue his effectiveness against top-order batters. The duel between these two stars added another chapter to their growing rivalry.

The bottom line

• Virat Kohli hit five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada, joining Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in RCB history.
• Kohli became the first batter to score 8,000 IPL runs in India and the second Indian to hit 450 T20 sixes.
• Kagiso Rabada dismissed Kohli for the fifth time in T20s, a record for a non-Indian bowler.
• Sandeep Sharma holds the overall record for most Kohli dismissals in T20s with seven.
• RCB moved to second place in the IPL 2026 points table after the match; GT remained seventh.
• The Kohli-Rabada duel highlighted the competitive intensity of the IPL season.