Kohli's 28 off 13 not enough as RCB collapse to GT by 4 wickets in Ahmedabad
Synopsis
RCB's familiar T20 story repeated: a Kohli blitz (28 off 13) raised hopes, but wickets fell in clusters, leaving them short at 155. GT's Shubman Gill (43 off 18) and Jos Buttler (39) made light work of the chase in 15.5 overs. RCB's batting depth remains the tournament's soft underbelly.
Key Takeaways
RCB scored 155 all out in 19.2 overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad on 1 May .
Virat Kohli struck 28 off 13 balls ; Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 40 .
GT chased down the target in 15.5 overs , winning by 4 wickets .
Shubman Gill powered the chase with 43 off 18 balls ; Jos Buttler added 39 .
RCB remain 2nd in the points table with 12 points from 9 matches ; next face Lucknow Super Giants on 7 May .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were restricted to 155 all out in 19.2 overs before Gujarat Titans (GT) chased down the total in 15.5 overs, winning by four wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 May. The loss exposed RCB's middle-order fragility despite an explosive start from opener Virat Kohli.
Kohli's fireworks, then the collapse
Kohli struck a quickfire 28 off 13 balls, showcasing aggressive batting particularly against pacer Kagiso Rabada. However, the momentum evaporated once he departed. Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 40, but regular wickets in the middle overs left RCB unable to build a competitive total on a ground where scores typically exceed 170.
What Karthik said
RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik acknowledged the batting unit's structural weakness. "I thought Virat started wonderfully, vintage Virat. The kind of shots he played, especially in the Rabada over, were outstanding. But we lost wickets in a cluster and kept doing it. Every time we had an opportunity to get ahead or build a partnership, we lost a wicket, and that never helps in a T20 game," Karthik said in a video released by RCB.
Gujarat's chase powered by Gill
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill took charge with 43 off 18 balls, while Jos Buttler (39) and Rahul Tewatia (27 not out) shepherded the chase without drama. GT reached 158/6 with 25 balls to spare, never under real pressure despite RCB's bowling effort.
Bowling effort praised
RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat highlighted the bowling unit's resilience. "The pleasing and encouraging thing is obviously the bowlers. They put in a good shift again today. It was good to see Romario find a bit of rhythm, too," Bobat said. He noted that RCB made GT work harder than the margin suggested, but acknowledged the batting shortfall cost them dearly.
What's next
RCB remain second in the points table with 12 points from 9 matches, but the middle-order instability is becoming a recurring liability. They face Lucknow Super Giants on 7 May. Bobat called for sharper preparation. "We need to lick our wounds, we've got a few days off, and we need to come back a little bit sharper. We head to Lucknow now, another important game, and hopefully we can adapt quickly and put in a better performance," he added.
Point of View
World-class overseas finishers, but a hollow middle. Kohli's 28 off 13 was vintage aggression, yet it masked a deeper structural flaw. When Padikkal (40) and the rest managed only 115 in 18 overs post-Kohli, it exposed the absence of a reliable No. 4 or 5. Gill's 43 off 18 was clinical; RCB's batting was reactive. Until they solve the middle-order puzzle, even Kohli's fireworks will remain footnotes to defeats.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RCB lose to GT at Ahmedabad?
RCB were restricted to 155 all out in 19.2 overs, a below-par total at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite Virat Kohli's aggressive 28 off 13 balls, regular wickets in the middle overs derailed the innings. GT then chased down the target comfortably in 15.5 overs with 25 balls to spare.
What did Dinesh Karthik say about RCB's batting collapse?
RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik acknowledged that losing wickets in clusters hurt their chances. He praised Kohli's start but noted that every time RCB had a chance to build momentum or a partnership, they lost a wicket, which is detrimental in T20 cricket.
Who scored the most runs for RCB and GT?
For RCB, Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 40 runs. For GT, captain Shubman Gill led the charge with 43 off 18 balls, while Jos Buttler contributed 39 to secure the chase.
What is RCB's current standing in the tournament?
RCB remain second in the points table with 12 points from 9 matches, but their middle-order fragility is becoming a recurring liability heading into their next fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on 7 May.
