Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill (ScreenGrab)
Virat Kohli survived a major scare during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful chase in the IPL 2026 final, and the dramatic moment sparked an interesting exchange between him and Gujarat Titans captain, Shubman Gill.The incident occurred at 15.6 overs with RCB well placed in their chase. Virat Kohli mistimed an attempted drive off Arshad Khan, and Shubman Gill appeared to nail a stunning diving catch. However, Kohli immediately questioned whether the ball had been passed cleanly, prompting the third umpire to review the umpire.
While the Gujarat Titans players celebrated, Kohli immediately looked unconvinced. The veteran batsman walked up to Gill and questioned whether the ball had been caught cleanly, suggesting that the ball may have touched the grass during the attempt.With uncertainty surrounding the hunt, the decision was referred upstairs. Replays showed that the ball was very close to the turf, and Gill’s fingers were not completely under it when he completed the catch. After reviewing multiple angles, third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal ruled that the ball had hit the ground and overturned the expulsion.The decision sparked mixed reactions. Kohli punched the air in celebration and was seen exchanging a few words with Gill, who looked surprised at the catch not being backed up.
The crowd erupted as the RCB star received a crucial lifeline.Interestingly, the moment reflected a controversial incident from the first innings when
Washington Sundar
He survived after the third umpire deemed Jordan Cox’s catch on his good leg insufficiently clean.The former RCB captain continued to steady the chase by scoring a brilliant unbeaten 75 off just 42 balls, hitting nine fours and six sixes. Along the way, he scored the fastest fifty of his IPL career, reaching the milestone in just 25 deliveries.Kohli’s knock proved decisive as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the target with 12 balls to spare, sealing a five-wicket win and securing their second successive IPL title.Earlier in the evening, RCB players had laid the foundation for the victory. Josh Hazlewood and
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were removed inside the powerplay, while Rasikh Salam Dar starred with figures of 3 for 27 to help restrict Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8 despite Washington Sundar’s batting half-century.In the end, Kohli’s controversial delay became one of the defining moments of the final, as the batting icon converted a close knock into a match-winning innings and another IPL trophy for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.