Virat Kohli’s unexpected struggle continues as he recorded back-to-back ducks in the IPL, a rarity for the prolific run-scorer. Fans are still grappling with the sight of Kohli walking back to the pavilion without scoring in two consecutive matches. While this unusual statistic captivated attention, the bigger narrative unfolded as Mumbai Indians faced elimination from the playoff race following a chaotic last-ball defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur.
Kohli’s Unwanted Record
Kohli’s first duck occurred during a match against Lucknow Super Giants, bowled out by Prince Yadav. In his next outing against RCB in Raipur, he suffered a golden duck, dismissed by Deepak Chahar in the opening over. This marks only the second instance of Kohli achieving consecutive ducks in his IPL career, with the previous occurrence dating back to 2022. Despite participating in numerous IPL matches, Kohli has recorded just 12 ducks, underscoring how rare these moments truly are.
Mumbai Indians Eliminated
Despite having an initial advantage with Kohli’s early dismissal, Mumbai Indians ended the night in disappointment. This loss confirmed MI’s elimination from IPL 2026 as they recorded their eighth defeat of the season. With a maximum possible score of 12 points, they are unable to qualify for the playoffs, joining Lucknow Super Giants as one of the first teams officially knocked out.
Match Overview
The match saw MI struggling initially, slipping to 28 for 3. However, Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir mounted a strong counterattack, with Tilak scoring 57 and Naman contributing 47 runs, helping MI set a target of 166 for 7. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was exceptional for RCB, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 23.
Krunal Pandya’s Brilliant Performance
RB’s chase began poorly with Kohli’s dismissal putting pressure on the batting order. Krunal Pandya emerged as a standout player, delivering a resilient performance despite battling leg cramps. He scored an impressive 73 runs off 46 balls, steering RCB closer to the target.
Final Over Madness in Raipur
The climax of the match unraveled during a frantic final over bowled by young Raj Bawa, with RCB needing 15 runs to win:
- 19.1: A wide called, followed by a no-ball siren, awarding RCB a free hit. RCB now needs 13 runs.
- 19.2: A single taken, leaving 12 runs needed.
- 19.3: Another wide called as RCB steals an extra run from an overthrow, now needing 10 runs.
- 19.4: A dot ball adds pressure back onto RCB.
- 19.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes a massive six over cover, changing the match dynamics.
- 19.6: RCB requires 2 runs from the final ball.
- Final ball: Rasikh Salam hits the ball back to Bawa, who fumbles while collecting it, allowing RCB to scramble for two runs and achieve a dramatic win.
This sensational finish not only sent RCB to victory but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of cricket, leaving fans in awe.
