Final: For the first time in 19 years… Virat Kohli created history by hitting fifty in 25 balls.

Virat Kohli has created a ruckus in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) veteran batsman Kohli defeated the Gujarat Titans (GT) bowlers and scored a half-century in just 25 balls. This is the fastest fifty of his 19 years of IPL career. Also, this is jointly the second fastest fifty in the history of the final of this league. Kohli has equaled the records of Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle in this matter.

Rohit Sharma scored a fifty in 25 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the title match of IPL 2015. Whereas Gayle had reached half-century in the same number of balls in the 2016 final. The record of fastest half-century in the IPL final is in the names of Suresh Raina, David Warner and Venkatesh Iyer. All three have scored fifty in 24-24 balls.

Also read: RCB accused of foul play in IPL final, Patidar clashed with umpire after being caught stealing

Kohli’s fastest half century in IPL

• 25 balls vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2026
• 26 vs RR, Bengaluru, 2018
• 26 vs DC, Delhi, 2018
• 27 vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025

Fastest fifty in IPL final

• Suresh Raina (CSK) – 24 balls vs MI, 2010
• David Warner (SRH) – 24 balls vs RCB, 2016
• Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) – 25 balls vs SRH, 2024
• Rohit Sharma (MI) – 25 balls vs CSK, 2015
• Chris Gayle (RCB) – 25 balls vs SRH, 2016
• Virat Kohli (RCB) – 25 balls vs GT, 2026

Also read: RCB’s second consecutive title win, GT bows before the bravery of Virat Kohli.

Kohli gave second trophy to RCB

RCB won the toss in the title match and decided to bowl first and restricted GT to the score of 155/8. Rasikh Salam Dar took 3 wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took 2 wickets each. Given the slow pitch of Ahmedabad and the pressure of the final, it was not easy for RCB to achieve the target but Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer made a partnership of 63 runs in 5.1 overs and eliminated GT from the match.

After the dismissal of Venkatesh (32), RCB lost the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal (1), Rajat Patidar (15) and Krunal Pandya (1) in quick succession but Kohli, taking charge from one end, did not give any chance to GT to make a comeback. He stood firm even after scoring a half-century and gave RCB victory in just 18 overs. RCB won the match by 5 wickets and captured the title for the second consecutive time. Kohli remained unbeaten after scoring 72 runs in 42 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes. For this explosive performance, he was awarded the Player of the Match award.