Kohli, Padikkal Lead RCB Win Over GT Despite Sudharsan 100

Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 206 to defeat Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, overshadowing a composed century from Sai Sudharsan.

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A fluent 81 from Virat Kohli and a rapid 55 from Devdutt Padikkal proved decisive, as RCB completed the chase with seven balls remaining.

Sudharsan Anchors GT Innings

After being put in to bat by captain Rajat Patidar, Gujarat Titans built their innings around Sudharsan’s measured 100 off 58 balls.

Starting cautiously on a surface described as “two-paced and sticky to start with,” Sudharsan gradually found rhythm, moving from 17 off 16 balls to 41 off 27 by the end of the fifth over. His partner Shubman Gill had limited strike early and eventually made 32 off 24 balls.

The pair added 128 runs for the opening stand before Gill departed, and Sudharsan reached his hundred in 57 balls — the slowest century of the season so far — before falling immediately after the milestone.

Late Overs Restrict GT

Despite being well placed at 170 for 2 after 16 overs, GT were unable to accelerate in the closing stages. Tight spells from Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood ensured only 35 runs came in the final four overs, as GT finished on 205 for 3.

Early Setback for RCB

RCB’s chase began with an early wicket as Jacob Bethell, opening in place of the injured Phil Salt, made 14 before falling. However, the momentum quickly shifted through a dominant partnership.

Kohli and Padikkal Take Charge

Kohli, dropped on the first ball he faced, capitalised fully, while Padikkal attacked from the outset. The duo stitched together a 115-run stand for the second wicket in just 9.5 overs, putting GT under pressure.

Padikkal’s aggressive approach saw him reach a 20-ball fifty, while Kohli kept pace with a controlled yet fluent innings. Both batters targeted bowlers across the attack, including Rashid Khan, who conceded heavily despite picking up two wickets.

Late Wobble and Recovery

RCB lost momentum briefly as wickets fell in quick succession, leaving them five down with 31 required from four overs. However, Krunal Pandya steadied the chase. He struck two fours and a six in the 18th over to ease the pressure significantly before finishing the match in the penultimate over.