A shaky start behind him, Virat Kohli stood tall with a hundred left untouched as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down Kolkata Knight Riders’ total, winning by six wickets and seizing first place in the IPL standings come Wednesday night.

That innings by Kohli sealed the win while pushing his tally to nine IPL centuries – a new benchmark. His name now tops the list for most games played in the league, passing both Dhoni and Rohit after stepping onto the field for the 279th time. This hundred arrived after a gap, marking his first in the tournament since 2024.

“Pressure Keeps You Humble”: Virat Kohli reflects on tough phase

After getting the Player of the Match award, Kohli said he’d felt good at the crease even though scoring hadn’t come easily in the last couple of matches; Those low scores stuck with him more than expected.

“The fact that I didn’t get many runs in the last two games eats me up because I know I’m batting well and hitting the ball nicely. But when you don’t create an impact for the team, it bothers you because the goal has always been to improve and be the best version of yourself for the team,” Virat Kohli said.

Batsman jitters crept in following back-to-back zero scores, yet he insisted tough moments shape improvement. Not every start feels smooth – sometimes doubt shows up, but those rough patches matter just as much.

“There is a reason people say pressure is a privilege – it keeps you humble. A couple of games that don’t go your way create nervousness, and that helps you improve. Those failures are important because they push you to get back to where you belong,” he explained.

Finding calm in the moment, Kohli stuck to what felt familiar rather than reaching for flashier plays.

His focus stayed on instinct, not invention, throughout the pursuit.
“I was just focused on my positions at the crease, picking the right lengths and finding the gaps I know I can hit. I’m happy I was able to back my game,” he added.

Still loving the game after all these years, he opened up about craving tough moments where every run counts. Pressure doesn’t scare him; it fuels him, keeps him coming back when the stakes rise. What drives him isn’t fame or records, but the thrill of facing down a tight spot and pushing through.

“I just love batting – that feeling has never changed. It’s an honor competing at this level against the very best. I want to make the most of every opportunity because one day it will all end,” Kohli remarked.

“Sport teaches you a lot about character, especially when you perform under pressure. Even after all these years, the joy of middling the ball is still there. It’s all God’s grace, and I’m grateful for it,” he added.

Happy with the win, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar saw his team climb to first place, edging past the Gujarat Titans on 16 points.
“It feels great.

Different players have stepped up at different stages of the tournament and done their jobs for the team. We are taking it one game at a time,” Patidar said.

Praise came his way for the bowlers, who steadied the game once KKR had surged early.
“Very satisfied with the win. After 10 overs, the way we controlled their innings and restricted them after the start they had was a really good sign for us,” Patidar added.