Virat Kohli teases Shubman Gill and Gujarat Titans with wild gestures during Qua – Virat Kohli’s Viral Antics: Teasing Shubman Gill in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1
A Night of Pure Dominance and Entertainment
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala witnessed a spectacle on Tuesday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the IPL 2026 final. In a one-sided Qualifier 1 encounter, RCB dismantled the Gujarat Titans, securing a massive 92-run victory that will be remembered for both its cricketing brilliance and the infectious energy of Virat Kohli.
RCB’s Batting Masterclass
RCB’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Posting a staggering 254/5, they set the highest total ever recorded in the history of IPL playoffs. The charge was led by captain Rajat Patidar, whose unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls left the GT bowlers searching for answers. Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya contributed vital 43-run knocks, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking at a blistering pace.
With this effort, Virat Kohli etched his name further into the history books, becoming the first batter to score 600-plus runs in four consecutive IPL seasons. His consistency remains the backbone of the RCB lineup, providing them with the stability needed to dismantle high-quality bowling attacks.
The Collapse of Gujarat Titans
Chasing a mammoth 254, the pressure on Gujarat Titans was evident from the opening over. They lost five wickets within the powerplay, a blow from which they never recovered. Sai Sudharsan’s unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal and a rare cheap outing for Shubman Gill compounded their misery. Although Rahul Tewatia waged a lone battle with a spirited 68, the lack of support saw the GT innings crumble for 162. Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, claiming three wickets to seal the final spot.
Kohli’s Viral Moments
Beyond the statistics, it was Virat Kohli’s playful demeanor that stole the spotlight on social media. A video captured during the Gujarat Titans’ group photo session quickly went viral, showing Kohli teasing Shubman Gill with his famous ‘Babaji Ka Thullu’ gesture. The light-hearted interaction between the two stars provided a rare moment of levity during a high-stakes playoff match.
The theatrics didn’t stop there. In another entertaining sequence, Kohli was spotted marking out a bowling run-up, ball in hand, before passing it to Jacob Duffy. He proceeded to walk towards the umpire, collect his cap, and share a genuine laugh. For a few brief seconds, the Dharamshala crowd held its breath, hoping to see the former RCB captain roll his arm over. While he did not bowl, the moment became an instant highlight of the match.
A Milestone-Filled Campaign
Kohli’s contributions during this Qualifier weren’t limited to his 43 runs. He achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first batter to score 500-plus runs against the Gujarat Titans. This feat adds to an illustrious list; Kohli has now crossed the 500-run mark against eight different IPL franchises, including the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What Lies Ahead
While RCB celebrates their direct entry into the final, the 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, are not out of the woods yet. They retain a second chance to reach the summit clash through Qualifier 2. They await the winner of the Eliminator match between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, scheduled for May 26. As the tournament reaches its business end, RCB looks like a team brimming with both form and confidence, spearheaded by a leader in Kohli who is clearly enjoying every moment of the journey.
