Guwahati: Rajasthan Royals spinner Ravi Bishnoi achieved a rare milestone during the IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismissing Virat Kohli in a manner not seen for nearly three years.
Bishnoi clean bowled Kohli with a deceptive googly, ending a remarkable streak of 1,089 days during which no bowler had managed to dismiss the former India captain bowled in the IPL. The moment stood out as one of the key highlights of the match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Rare dismissal after 1,089 days
Kohli, who scored a brisk 32 off 16 deliveries, looked in good touch before being undone by Bishnoi’s clever variation. The leg-spinner delivered a well-disguised googly that beat Kohli’s defence and crashed into the stumps.
The dismissal marked the first time since 2023 that Kohli had been bowled in the IPL, with Akash Singh being the last bowler to achieve the feat during his stint with Chennai Super Kings.
Given Kohli’s consistency and technical solidity, such dismissals are extremely rare, making Bishnoi’s achievement even more significant.
Rajasthan Royals chase down 202 with ease
The match itself turned into a high-scoring contest, with Rajasthan Royals registering an impressive six-wicket victory over RCB.
After being put in to bat, RCB posted a competitive total of 201 for 8, led by captain Rajat Patidar, who scored a fighting 63. Kohli (32), Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29) made valuable contributions.
However, Rajasthan Royals responded strongly with the bat, led by sensational knocks from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel.
Sooryavanshi and Jurel dominate chase
Sooryavanshi delivered a breathtaking innings of 78 off just 26 balls, while Jurel anchored the chase with an unbeaten 81 off 43 deliveries. The duo stitched together a match-defining 108-run partnership for the second wicket in just 37 balls.
Their aggressive yet calculated approach put RCB under immense pressure and effectively took the game away from them.
Despite a brief fightback from Krunal Pandya, who picked up two quick wickets, RR maintained control of the chase.
Jurel then combined with Ravindra Jadeja (24) to add another 68 runs, sealing the victory with two overs to spare.
Bowlers contribute to RR’s success
Earlier in the match, RR’s bowlers played a crucial role in restricting RCB despite the high total. Alongside Bishnoi, Jofra Archer and Brijesh Sharma picked up two wickets each.
Bishnoi’s spell of 2/32 not only included the prized wicket of Kohli but also helped RR regain control during the middle overs.
Captain Parag reflects on performance
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag described the team’s performance as clinical, while also pointing out areas for improvement.
“The way we bowled and started, I would have been happy with 200. But the way we clawed back in the middle overs was important. Still, I think we were around 20 runs over par,” Parag said.
He added that the bowlers could have executed their plans better at certain stages, particularly in limiting scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
Ravi Bishnoi’s dismissal of Virat Kohli will be remembered as a standout moment in IPL 2026, ending a long-standing streak and highlighting the spinner’s growing impact in the league.
Combined with a dominant batting display, Rajasthan Royals’ all-round performance underlined their strong form this season. As the tournament progresses, such individual brilliance and team consistency could prove decisive in shaping their campaign.
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