RCB vs RR: Century eludes Virat Kohli once again, when was his last?

Virat Kohli is back in scintillating form, reaffirming his status as one of the most prolific T20 batsmen. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon continued his impressive run in the ongoing IPL 2025, smashing yet another half-century, his 111th in T20 cricket.

Batting with authority and flair, Kohli looked poised for a century, but his fluent knock of 70 off just 42 deliveries came to an end at the hands of Jofra Archer. Despite the disappointment of falling short of a ton, his innings was a masterclass in timing and placement.

Bengaluru posted 205 for 5, with the help of Kohli and Padikkal`s (50 off 27 balls) second wicket stand of 95 runs was the highlight of the RCB innings after being invited to bat. Later, Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma (19 not out) took charge to take RCB past the 200-run mark. For RR, Sandeep Sharma (2/45), Jofra Archer (1/32) and Wanindu Hasaranga (1/30) were the wicket takers.

Kohli`s last IPL century

Kohli’s last IPL century came during the 2024 season, also against Rajasthan Royals. That memorable innings was played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, where he remained unbeaten on 113 off 72 balls. It was a calculated knock, crafted with precision, and marked his eighth IPL century, the slowest of his career and one of the slowest in the tournament`s history, taking 67 deliveries to reach the landmark.

In that game, Kohli’s strokeplay was a blend of elegance and efficiency. He struck 12 fours and four sixes, manipulating the field with ease and dispatching both pacers and spinners to the boundary. He notably took on Yuzvendra Chahal with two commanding sixes. However, despite a strong start, the RCB innings lost momentum in the middle overs.

Kohli remained the anchor, but the team could only muster 183 runs. Faf du Plessis contributed with a steady 44 off 33, yet their combined effort wasn’t enough. Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, successfully chased down the target in the final over with six wickets in hand.

In the current season, Kohli’s affinity for the Royals seems to continue. He had earlier played an unbeaten knock of 62 in a successful chase against them, and his latest fifty in Bengaluru adds to a string of consistent performances against the Jaipur-based side. His timing, shot selection, and ability to control the tempo of the innings make him a constant threat at the crease, especially when facing the Royals.