Textbook Chase: Kohli, Padikkal Fifties Flatten GT

RCB won the toss and bowled first. GT were 57/0 after the powerplay with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan putting on a 100-run opening stand. The Chase RCB’s reply was led by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, both scoring fifties to anchor the chase. This continues their strong 2026 form — they had a similar 101-run stand vs SRH earlier this season, with Padikkal 61 off 26 and Kohli 69_ off 38. RCB’s season:Kohli’s form vs GT: He averages 87.75 vs Titans with 351 runs, including 3 fifties and a 100.Padikkal’s upgrade: He’s striking at 177.91 this season with 153 runs, and had just hit a 21-ball 61 vs SRH. Opening pair: Phil Salt + Kohli have been “one of the most fearsome opening pairs,” but Padikkal at 3 has been crucial. After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar had no hesitation in putting GT in. Sudharsan laid a strong foundation on a pitch he described as "two-paced and sticky to start with". But even when the surface became easier to bat on, GT could not get into overdrive. They scored only 35 in the last four overs and finished on 205 for 3. In response, Kohli, who was dropped on zero, smashed 81 off 44 balls and Padikkal blasted 55 off just 27. They put on 115 in 9.5 overs for the second wicket, and despite a bit of wobble towards the end, RCB romped home with seven balls to spare. Player of the Match: Virat Kohli – 68_ off 44 in a perfect chase GT’s openers stuck to their risk-free template. Sai Sudharsan was watchful early — 17 off 16 after 3 overs — while Shubman Gill faced just 3 balls in that period. Sudharsan then switched gears, taking Bhuvneshwar and Rasikh for 24 runs in the next 2 overs. He raced to 41 off 27 by the end of the 5th. GT finished the PowerPlay 57/0, with Gill still on 9_ off 9. Classic GT: build slow, then explode An exhibition of clean hitting by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal ensured Sai Sudharsan's measured 100 off 58 balls ended in a losing cause as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru 206 for 5 (Kohli 81, Padikkal 55, Rashid 2-49) beat Gujarat Titans 205 for 3 (Sai Sudharsan 100, Gill 32, Bhuvneshwar 1-31) by five wickets