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RCB vs GT Powerplay Highlights: Kohli's Explosive Start and Rabada's Clinical Revenge
30 April 2026
The Riyadh Air Ahmedabad stadium—better known as the Narendra Modi Stadium—erupted in chants of "RCB! RCB!" as Virat Kohli walked out to open the innings against Gujarat Titans in Match 42 of IPL 2026. What followed was a powerplay masterclass that perfectly encapsulated the "Fearless RCB" approach advocated by head coach Andy Flower.
Kohli, returning to the venue where he has historical glory, didn't wait to settle. After a cautious first over against Mohammed Siraj, Kohli targeted Kagiso Rabada in the second. In a sequence that went viral instantly, Kohli creamed Rabada for four consecutive fours, showcasing a blend of vintage timing and modern aggression.
By the end of his third over, Kohli had raced to 28 off just 10 balls. The momentum was firmly with the Royal Challengers, and the 200+ target looked like a formality.
However, you can't make a world-class fast bowler angry without a response. Rabada, known for his "death stares" and high-stakes temperament, adjusted his length in his second over. He hit the deck harder, extracting a steep bounce that caught Kohli off-guard. Kohli spliced a catch to midwicket, where Rashid Khan made no mistake.
Rabada’s celebration was silent but intense—a clinical dismissal of the world's most popular batter.
- RCB Score: 58/2 in 5.5 overs.
- Key Wicket: Jacob Bethell (5) caught off Siraj.
- Key Wicket: Virat Kohli (28) caught off Rabada.
- Current Batters: Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal.
The pitch in Ahmedabad, with its 66-meter square boundaries, remains a batter's paradise despite the 43-degree heat. With Phil Salt still out due to injury, the middle order of Patidar and Jitesh Sharma will need to step up to keep the run rate near the current 9.94 RR.
Stay tuned as we track the RCB vs GT Live Score and the evolving IPL 2026 points table.
The Kohli Storm
Kohli, returning to the venue where he has historical glory, didn't wait to settle. After a cautious first over against Mohammed Siraj, Kohli targeted Kagiso Rabada in the second. In a sequence that went viral instantly, Kohli creamed Rabada for four consecutive fours, showcasing a blend of vintage timing and modern aggression.
By the end of his third over, Kohli had raced to 28 off just 10 balls. The momentum was firmly with the Royal Challengers, and the 200+ target looked like a formality.
Rabada's Clinical Revenge
However, you can't make a world-class fast bowler angry without a response. Rabada, known for his "death stares" and high-stakes temperament, adjusted his length in his second over. He hit the deck harder, extracting a steep bounce that caught Kohli off-guard. Kohli spliced a catch to midwicket, where Rashid Khan made no mistake.
Rabada’s celebration was silent but intense—a clinical dismissal of the world's most popular batter.
Powerplay Summary
- RCB Score: 58/2 in 5.5 overs.
- Key Wicket: Jacob Bethell (5) caught off Siraj.
- Key Wicket: Virat Kohli (28) caught off Rabada.
- Current Batters: Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal.
The pitch in Ahmedabad, with its 66-meter square boundaries, remains a batter's paradise despite the 43-degree heat. With Phil Salt still out due to injury, the middle order of Patidar and Jitesh Sharma will need to step up to keep the run rate near the current 9.94 RR.
Stay tuned as we track the RCB vs GT Live Score and the evolving IPL 2026 points table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs did Virat Kohli score against GT?
Virat Kohli scored 28 runs off 13 balls, including four successive boundaries against Kagiso Rabada, before being caught out.
Who dismissed Virat Kohli in the RCB vs GT match?
Kagiso Rabada dismissed Virat Kohli with a well-directed bouncer in the powerplay.