Virat Kohli made history, scoring the fastest IPL fifty of his career in the final Cricket News

New Delhi: Big players give their best on the biggest stage. Virat Kohli Once again, the IPL 2026 finals maintained that reputation.With Royal Challengers Bengaluru chasing 156 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli produced a vintage masterclass under pressure, scoring the fastest half-century of his IPL career in the summit clash.The RCB star achieved the milestone in just 25 balls, eclipsing his previous best of 26-ball half-centuries against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in 2018. Notably, this record-setter came in his 19th IPL season and the most spectacular phase of them all.Fastest Fifty in IPL The title comes into conflict.Kohli had already signaled his intent during a brilliant opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer.The duo tore apart the Gujarat attack and took RCB to the fastest team fifty in IPL final history, reaching the mark in just 3.3 overs and breaking Chennai Super Kings’ previous record of four overs set in 2023. Kohli scored 23 off eight balls, while Iyer hit 26 off 13 as the defending champions took early control of the chase.However, Gujarat responded strongly. After an opening stand of 62, RCB suddenly lost four wickets for just 29 runs, threatening to derail the chase.This was when Kohli changed gears.While the wickets were falling at the other end, the former RCB captain kept his composure and continued to find boundaries at regular intervals.His historic moment came in the 12th over when he pulled Arshad Khan for a boundary to bring up his half-century. Kohli celebrated by raising the bat after reaching the milestone with seven fours and two sixes.Fastest 50 (faced balls) for Kohli in IPL

Among the fastest half-centuries in IPL final historyThis 25-ball innings also made Kohli one of the fastest half-centuries recorded in an IPL final.only Suresh Raina (2010), David Warner (2016) and Venkatesh Iyer (2024) have reached the milestone faster, all within 24 deliveries.For Kohli, though, the timing made it special.Earlier, the RCB bowlers laid the foundation by restricting the Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8. Rashikh Salam took 3 for 27 while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets each.But as the pressure of the title chase mounted, it was Kohli who once again embraced the moment. On a night where records continued to be broken, IPL’s greatest run machine opened another innings for the big occasion.Fastest 50 (faced balls) in IPL Final