New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s intensity was on full display in the IPL 2026 final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru took early control against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.While Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck with the ball, it was Kohli’s animated celebration after the dismissal of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan that quickly became the talking point among the fans.The former RCB skipper looked fired up from the start as RCB took the early lead after skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to field.After Gill’s big wicket, Kohli was fired up.The first breakthrough came in the third over when Hazlewood dismissed GT captain Gill for 10 off eight balls.The Australian fast bowler hit a short-off length delivery that went awkwardly to the gully. Attempting his trademark short-arm pull, the GT skipper only managed a clipped mistimed shot towards mid-off, where Patidar completed a comfortable catch.As soon as he took the catch, Kohli erupted in joy. The star batsman was seen aggressively pumping his fists and roaring with joy as RCB celebrated the opening wicket in a big way.Given his stellar record in Ahmedabad and his role in guiding GT to the finals, Gill’s exit was a pivotal moment in the competition.Following Sudharsan, Kohli celebrated againAfter just one over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck another crucial blow.Sai Sudharsan, one of Gujarat’s most consistent batsmen this season, miscues a pull shot on a wonderful bouncer and drives the ball towards short fine leg. Wicket keeper Jitesh Sharma completed a brilliant catch while running.Kohli’s reaction was immediate.The former India captain rushed towards Bhuvneshwar, hugging the veteran pacer before lifting him in celebration as RCB sensed an opportunity to put GT under a lot of pressure.The twin strikes rattled the Titans inside the powerplay and gave Bengaluru exactly the start they had hoped for in a high-stakes final.RCB made no changes to the fixture following their Qualifier 1 win over Gujarat earlier on Saturday, with the Narendra Modi Stadium being decked out in Kohli’s iconic number 18 jersey despite being Gujarat’s home ground.As RCB’s bowlers delivered in the opening overs, Kohli’s trademark passion and energy provided the perfect glimpse of a team determined to retain the IPL crown.Watch Kohli’s celebrations here:
