Virat Kohli writes history, smashing the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League of his career in the final

New Delhi: Top players give their best on the biggest stage and Virat Kohli once again lived up to that reputation in the IPL 2026 final.With Royal Challengers Bengaluru chasing 156 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli produced a brilliant display under pressure, hitting the fastest half-century of his Indian Premier League career in the summit clash.The RCB star reached the milestone with just 25 balls, surpassing his previous best of 26 50s against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in 2018. Remarkably, the record knock came in his 19th season in the IPL and on the grandest stage of all.

Fastest IPL fifty Up to the title fightKohli had already signaled his intent during a stunning opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer.The duo took Gujarat’s attack by storm and led RCB to the fastest fifty in the final history of the IPL, reaching the mark in just 3.3 overs and breaking Chennai Super Kings’ previous record of four overs set in 2023.

Kohli raced away to 23 off eight balls, while Iyer scored 26 off 13 as the defending champions took early control of the chase.However, Gujarat resisted strongly. After an opening stand of 62, RCB suddenly lost four wickets for just 29 runs, threatening to derail the chase.That was when Kohli changed gears.While the wickets tumbled at the other end, the former RCB skipper maintained his composure and continued to find boundaries at regular intervals.

His historic moment arrived in the 12th over when he pulled Arshad Khan to the boundary to mark his half-century. Kohli celebrated by lifting the bat after reaching the milestone with seven fours and two sixes.Kohli’s fastest 50 seconds in the Indian Premier League (by facing balls)

Among the fastest fifties in the final history of the IPLKohli’s 25-ball knock also earned him a place among the fastest half-centuries ever scored in an IPL final.Only Suresh Raina (2010), David Warner (2016) and Venkatesh Iyer (2024) have reached the mark faster, and all of them have done so in 24 deliveries.But for Kohli, the timing made it special.Earlier, RCB’s bowlers laid the foundation by restricting Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8. Ras Salam impressed with 3 for 27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets each.But as the pressure of the title race mounted, it was Kohli who once again embraced the moment. On a night when records continued to fall, the IPL’s greatest run machine produced another innings for the grand occasion.Fastest 50s in IPL Final (by facing balls)