Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made an emphatic entry into the IPL 2026 final, defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on 26 May. The defending champions will now await the winner of Qualifier 2 in the final, on 31 May.
Meanwhile, this is not the end of GT’s IPL 2026 run. The Shubman Gill-led side, after finishing in the top two spots, will now face the winner of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) Eliminator in Qualifier 2, on 29 May.
From Virat Kohli hugging Anushka Sharma to his ‘naagin’ dance, the RCB vs GT match had many interesting moments. Let’s take a look at them.
RCB vs GT, Qualifier 1, IPL 2026, Top Moments
1) Virat Kohli hugs Anushka Sharma after victory
Virat Kohli hugged his wife and actor Anushka Sharma after RCB’s victory. As the match ended, Kohli celebrated with his teammates on the pitch and then made his way towards the stands where Anushka was seated.
The RCB great shared a warm hug with Anushka, and the couple’s heartwarming moment went viral.
2) Virat Kohli’s ‘Naagin’ dance during GT team photoshoot
Virat Kohli was in a celebratory mood in Qualifier 1. The star cricketer performed a ‘naagin’ dance during the team photoshoot of the Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala. In a video that has gone viral, Kohli was seen making a snake-like gesture with his hands towards the GT players who were having a photoshoot.
3) Virat Kohli hugs AB de Villiers after RCB’s win
Virat and AB de Villiers had a reunion in Dharamshala after RCB’s victory. After the match was completed, the two former RCB teammates and friends met and hugged each other while engaging in a discussion.
4) Sai Sudharsan’s bizarre hit-wicket dismissal
Hit-wickets in cricket are rare, and Sai Sudharsan unfortunately had one to his name against RCB. Facing the third ball of the second over in the chase from Jacob Duffy, Sudharsan cut a wide delivery for a four, but in doing so, the bat slipped out of his hands and knocked down the bails.
Sudharsan, up until that point, looked in good touch, and it took a freakish dismissal to end his stay at the crease.
5) Anushka covered her face after Kohli’s dismissal
As Virat Kohli’s wicket fell to Jason Holder’s ball, his wife Anushka Sharma, sitting in the stands, was completely shocked. She covered her face with both hands in disappointment. Kohli himself, after being dismissed, remained on the crease for a few seconds in disbelief, looked at his bat, and then returned to the pavilion with a heavy heart.
Anushka Sharma covered her face in disappointment after Kohli’s wicket. (Credits: X)
6) Kohli goes berserk after Jason Holder’s dismissal
After the all-rounder Jason Holder was dismissed by Rasikh Dar in the last over of the powerplay, actor and Virat Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma, was absolutely elated after Jason Holder was dismissed.
Even Virat was absolutely pumped up after the dismissal, and the camera showed Anushka, who clapped from the stands to applaud the moment. It is worth noting that it was Holder who had dismissed Virat in the first innings. Witnessing Holder’s wicket, Kohli went berserk on his celebration.
7) Virat Kohli in awe after Rajat Patidar’s six
Virat was left in awe after RCB captain Patidar smashed a sensational six off Kagiso Rabada in the first innings. This happened in the 17th over when Patidar smashed a ball outside the off-stump for a huge six over the extra cover region.
Virat, who was watching from the sidelines, was extremely impressed by that shot.
8) Josh Hazlewood’s animated celebration after dismissing Buttler
Josh Hazlewood let out an animated celebration right in front of Jos Buttler after dismissing him. This happened in the fifth over of the chase when Buttler looked in good touch and had smashed Hazlewood for two fours and one six before that ball.
And after Buttler’s off-stump was struck, the RCB pacer got his revenge and celebrated with a roar.
Umpire teases Virat Kohli on field during the second innings
In the 2nd innings, while the Gujarat Titans were chasing the target set by the RCB, an on-field umpire teased Virat Kohli during the over break. As the fielders were changing positions, Kohli asked the umpire to return his cap, after which the official did a bit of mischief before handing the cap. The light-hearted moment left Kohli smiling as well.
9) Rasikh Salam Dar’s wonderful return catch
Rasikh Salam Dar produced a wonderful caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Nishant Sindhu in the chase. This happened in the last over of the powerplay when the left-handed Sindhu was late to open the face of the bat and got an edge.
And Rasikh, on his follow-through, jumped in front to take a wonderful return catch and complete the dismissal.
10) Shubman Gill takes sensational catch to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer had provided RCB with a flying start and was looking in great touch up until the second over when Kagiso Rabada dismissed him off the fifth ball. The left-hander ramped Rabada for a six off the fourth delivery.
And on the fifth ball, Rabada got his revenge. It was banged in short, and Venkatesh attempted to go big, only to hit the ball high in the air. Shubman Gill did well to run back and take a stunning catch.
