NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with a wide ranging burst of strokeplay, smashing 5 consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada to script a particular milestone in IPL 2026 on Thursday.Turning the clock again to his most damaging greatest, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman got here out all weapons blazing, dismantling Rabada in simply the second over of the innings and leaving followers and pundits in awe.With that gorgeous sequence, Kohli grew to become solely the third batter in Royal Challengers Bengaluru historical past to hit 5 or extra boundaries in a single over — becoming a member of an elite checklist that includes Chris Gayle and Shane Watson.

Kohli joins Gayle, Watson in unique checklist

The uncommon feat has been achieved solely twice earlier than within the franchise’s historical past. Gayle first did it in 2013 in opposition to Ishwar Pandey in Bengaluru, whereas Watson matched the report in 2016 in opposition to Thisara Perera.Kohli’s effort in Ahmedabad now completes a outstanding trio, underlining his enduring class and talent to dominate even the world’s greatest bowlers.The 5 boundaries showcased an entire vary of strokeplay — from authoritative pulls to elegant drives and late cuts — highlighting why Kohli stays one of the vital feared batters.WATCH: Virat Kohli’s early assaultRCB batters with 5 (or extra) fours in an over

Rabada strikes again after early onslaughtThe carnage yielded 21 runs in Rabada’s opening over, with Kohli racing to twenty-eight off simply 10 balls quickly after with a six off Mohammed Siraj — equalling the joint-fastest begin of his T20 profession when it comes to runs off his first 10 deliveries.Nevertheless, the competition had one other twist.Rabada, unfazed by the early assault, returned strongly in his subsequent over to have the final snicker. Bowling a pointy, brief supply, he hurried Kohli (28 off 13) right into a mistimed shot that resulted in a high edge, comfortably caught by Rashid Khan at mid-wicket.The dismissal marked the fifth time Rabada has eliminated Kohli in T20 cricket, underlining the fascinating rivalry between the 2 stars.Regardless of his transient keep, Kohli’s explosive begin set the tone for the innings and supplied early momentum to RCB. His aggressive intent in opposition to a bowler of Rabada’s calibre stood out as one of many defining moments of the match.