Dwayne Bravo Urges Virat Kohli to ‘Play as Long as Possible’ Following Match-Winning Century Against KKR
Following consecutive ducks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli returned to form with an unbeaten 105 off 60 deliveries to secure a six-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur. The innings drew immediate recognition from across the cricket community, highlighted by a direct message from KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo.
Bravo and Kohli Exchange Post-Match Respect
After RCB successfully chased KKR’s total of 192, Bravo entered the RCB dressing room to personally congratulate the former India captain. In footage released on social media, the West Indian all-rounder embraced Kohli, stating: “Play as long as possible, the sport needs you.”
The interaction highlights the professional respect between the two veterans, who have competed against each other in the Indian Premier League for over a decade.
Match Breakdown: RCB Chases 193 in Raipur
Kohli anchored the RCB run chase, striking 11 boundaries and three sixes. The century marks his ninth in IPL history, extending his record for the most hundreds in the tournament as documented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He formed a 92-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 39, stabilizing the innings after an early dismissal.
RCB reached the 193-run target with five balls remaining. The victory elevated Bengaluru to the top position on the IPL 2026 points table, edging ahead on net run rate.
Match Statistics
| Innings | Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Kolkata Knight Riders | 192/4 | Angkrish Raghuvanshi (71), Rinku Singh (49*) |
| Second | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 193/4 | Virat Kohli (105*), Kartik Tyagi (3 Wickets) |
KKR Sets Competitive Target
Batting first, KKR compiled 192/4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi led the scoring with 71, while Rinku Singh added a rapid, unbeaten 49 in the final overs. Cameron Green contributed 32 during the middle phases of the innings. For complete historical player statistics and tournament records, consult ESPNcricinfo.
During the chase, KKR fast bowler Kartik Tyagi claimed three wickets to disrupt the RCB middle order. However, Kohli’s calculated aggression negated Tyagi’s breakthroughs, ensuring Bengaluru completed the chase without requiring the final over.