Kohli’s animated reaction highlights RCB’s momentum as Dar removes Head
Virat Kohli’s aggressive celebration of Rasikh Salam Dar’s yorker underscores Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s tactical focus during their IPL 2026 clash on May 22.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s pacer Rasikh Salam Dar delivered a decisive yorker to dismiss Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Travis Head during their Indian Premier League 2026 encounter on May 22, 2026. The delivery shattered Head’s stumps after the left-hander had struck five boundaries in his innings, ending his score of 26 runs off 16 balls. The breakthrough came immediately after Head had hammered Dar for three consecutive boundaries, shifting the momentum of the match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The dismissal prompted a visibly animated response from Virat Kohli, who celebrated the wicket with greater intensity than the bowler himself. Footage from the match showed Kohli pumping up the team, mirroring the energy of Dar, who gestured towards the crowd with his hand near his ear, seemingly urging them to raise the noise after silencing the opposition. The moment highlighted the defensive urgency within the RCB camp as they sought to contain a potent Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest. The visiting side retained the same playing combination from their previous match, featuring a top order that included Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen. Despite the early setback for Head, the Sunrisers maintained their structure, relying on the experience of Cummins and the depth of their middle order to build pressure against the RCB attack.
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the match carried significant weight as the defending champions, having defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final. RCB had already secured their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs, becoming the first team to do so in the current season. This victory reinforced their dominance and tactical discipline, with Kohli’s leadership and on-field reactions serving as a barometer for the team’s competitive spirit.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru made one change to their lineup, bringing back skipper Rajat Patidar to the playing XI after he missed the previous game due to concussion. Patidar replaced the injured Jacob Bethell, adding stability to the batting order alongside Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, and Jitesh Sharma. The return of Patidar underscored the team’s commitment to fielding their strongest available side as they continued their campaign with confidence.
