Defending Champions RCB take on Gujarat Titans in a crucial IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 encounter at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala.
With a direct ticket to the
IPL 2026 final up for grabs, both heavyweights knew the importance of seizing early momentum. Facing one of the most fearsome bowling attacks in the tournament, Bengaluru made a massive statement right from the very first ball.
RCB score their Highest Powerplay Score in IPL Playoff
Knowing the critical importance of maximizing the fielding restrictions, Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, stepping up in the absence of Phil Salt walked out with crystal-clear explosive intent.
Right from the opening over, the duo beautifully adapted to the Dharamsala conditions. Because the high altitude allows the ball to travel further through the thin mountain air, Venkatesh Iyer fearlessly targeted the aerial route. Using his long reach and immense power, Iyer easily cleared the infield to smash the pacers for massive boundaries. At the other end, Virat Kohli used the pitch's true, consistent bounce to execute his trademark cover drives, piercing the tight gaps in the Gujarat field.
Rather than allowing Rabada's extreme pace to intimidate them, Kohli and Iyer used the bowlers' own velocity to effortlessly deflect the ball to the fence. The onslaught was relentless; by aggressively charging the quicks and refusing to let the bowlers settle into a rhythm, RCB successfully dismantled Gujarat's initial defensive plans. Even with a wicket falling in the mix to bring the score to 76/1, the incoming batter maintained the tempo, closing out the mandatory six-over powerplay with a staggering 76 runs on the board.
This explosive start didn't just give the Royal Challengers Bengaluru early control of the match; it firmly etched their name into the IPL history books. By racking up 76/1 in the first six overs, RCB officially registered their highest-ever powerplay score in an IPL playoff or knockout match.
Highest Powerplay totals in IPL knockouts/Playoffs
100/2 CSK vs PBKS Wankhede 2014
84/1 Deccan vs DC Centurion 2009
79/0 MI vs GT New Chandigarh 2025
76/1 RCB vs GT Dharamsala 2026
Virat Kohli reaches 600-mark
Virat Kohli also got to the 600-run mark in the match against Gujarat Titans. The India star has now scored 600+ runs in an IPL season for the 6th time, the most by a player in the history of the competition. Virat's highest score in a single season came in 2016, when he amassed 973 runs.
