Ace India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli was on Sunday, April 5, seen applauding Sarfaraz Khan’s blistering knock against his team, as the latter put on a show, only to fall short in the massive
251-run chase in an IPL 2026 match in Bengaluru.
As Sarfaraz walked back after a blistering 25-ball 50, Kohli called out to him over the crowd noise. When the former turned around, Kohli applauded and gave a thumbs-up, acknowledging a knock that reignited an otherwise faltering chase.
Sarfaraz stepped up when the Chennai Super Kings were in serious trouble, with the visitors reeling at 30/3 inside the first three overs while chasing 251 and staring at an early collapse.
Watch the video here:
पवेलियन लौटते समय कोहली ने सरफराज को सीटी बजाकर उनकी बल्लेबाजी की सराहना की और ताली बजाई। कोहली का यह प्यारा सा भाव था। ❤️🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/N7v5AVPvRz
— ममता ट्राबल (@Mamtasulaniya) April 5, 2026
Sarfaraz’s charge was halted by Krunal Pandya (2/36), while Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/41) removed Prashant Veer (43) to break a 57-run partnership with Jamie Overton (37), as the much-anticipated Southern Derby fizzled out without much spark.
Earlier, Royal Challengers’ push for a second straight victory was built on Devdutt Padikkal’s two key stands, 56 off 37 deliveries with Phil Salt (46) for the second wicket and a quickfire 58 off 21 deliveries with Rajat Patidar for the third.
They were important alliances for RCB on a Chinnaswamy pitch with a hint of slowness in the start after CSK asked them to bat first.
Salt took charge in the second-wicket partnership, guiding the innings after Kohli (28) fell early, having been dropped on seven by Shivam Dube off Khaleel Ahmed.
Salt’s calculated aggression, a six each off Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj, helped the home team finish the Power Play on a rather happy note of 51/1.
Salt didn’t last long post the six-over segment, giving a simple catch to Ahmad in the deep off Dube. The dismissal changed the tempo of RCB’s innings.
![[WATCH] IPL 2026: Virat Kohli’s no-look six leaves Bengaluru crowd stunned in CSK clash](https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/iVnvYCtTzEq0.webp)
