Virat Kohli scored his ninth IPL century Wednesday to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders [1].
The performance marks a critical turning point for Kohli, who had struggled with low scores earlier in the 2026 season. The win also elevates RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 points table [1, 2].
The match took place May 13, 2026, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur [5, 6]. Kohli reached the 100-run milestone in 58 deliveries [2]. His innings included 10 fours and three sixes [3].
Beyond the match result, the century contributed to a historic individual milestone. Kohli became the first Indian cricketer to reach 14,000 runs in T20 cricket [4].
This redemption performance serves as a catalyst for RCB as they enter the final stages of the tournament. By securing the top spot in the standings, the team improves its positioning for the upcoming playoffs — a move that stabilizes the franchise's momentum after a period of inconsistency.
Kohli's ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a high strike rate proved decisive against the KKR bowling attack. The victory in Raipur reinforces his status as one of the most prolific batters in the league's history [1, 3].
“Virat Kohli scored his ninth IPL century on Wednesday”
Kohli's return to form combined with RCB's ascent to the top of the table shifts the psychological momentum of the 2026 season. Reaching 14,000 T20 runs further cements his legacy as a pioneer of the shortest format in India, while the team's current ranking provides a significant mathematical advantage heading into the playoffs.
