Virat Kohli’s Hilarious Century Celebration Mix-up During RCB vs KKR
A Masterclass in Resilience and Humor
Virat Kohli, widely regarded as the ultimate ‘chase master’ of world cricket, delivered yet another masterclass during the IPL 2026 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 13. Following a dip in form that saw him record back-to-back ducks, the veteran opener silenced his critics in the most emphatic way possible at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.
KKR Sets a Formidable Challenge
Batting first, KKR found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets quickly with the scoreboard reading just 48. However, the innings was expertly rebuilt by Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh. Raghuvanshi played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 71 off 46 balls, while Rinku added a vital 49 off 32. Their combined efforts propelled KKR to a competitive total of 192/4. For RCB, the bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, managed to keep the total within reach by claiming one wicket each.
The Chase Master Takes Control
Chasing 193 for victory, RCB faced an early setback with the loss of Jacob Bethell. However, Virat Kohli remained the picture of composure. He found an excellent partner in Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed a brisk 39 off 27 deliveries. The duo stitched together a 92-run partnership, shifting the momentum firmly in RCB’s favor and keeping the required run rate under control throughout the middle overs.
The ’98’ Celebration Moment
The most iconic moment of the night arrived in the 18th over. Kohli, hovering in the 90s, faced Kartik Tyagi and launched a massive 88-metre six over deep mid-wicket. Caught up in the electric atmosphere, the RCB star momentarily lost track of his personal score, believing he had reached triple figures. He began to celebrate with a dance, only to realize seconds later that he was actually on 98. The sight of Kohli sheepishly stopping his celebration and breaking into a broad smile became an instant viral sensation among cricket fans globally.
Completing the Century and the Win
True to his elite standard, Kohli did not let the humorous distraction affect his focus. He completed his ninth IPL century in the very next over, reaching the milestone in just 58 balls. He ultimately finished unbeaten on 105 off 60 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and three sixes. His ability to anchor the bat until the final ball ensured RCB secured a comfortable six-wicket victory, propelling them to the top of the IPL points table.
Impact on the Orange Cap Race
This match-winning performance has put Kohli firmly back in the hunt for the Orange Cap. With 484 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 53.77 and a strike rate of 165.75, he remains a vital cog in RCB’s title aspirations. As the tournament moves toward the playoff phase, Kohli’s return to form provides a significant psychological boost for the team. While he currently trails Heinrich Klaasen and Sai Sudharsan in the run-scoring charts, his form suggests that the race for the top spot is far from over.
Ultimately, the match served as a reminder of why Virat Kohli remains one of the most compelling figures in modern sports—not just for his technical brilliance, but for the human moments that endear him to fans worldwide.
