Virat Kohli teases Shubman Gill and Gujarat Titans with wild gestures during Qua – Virat Kohli Teases Shubman Gill with Hilarious Gestures in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1

Kabir Anand · 27/05/2026 · 4 min read

RCB Storm Into IPL 2026 Final with Record-Breaking Win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a clinical performance to defeat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing IPL 2026 at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. With this emphatic victory, RCB has qualified for their second consecutive IPL final, showcasing a batting masterclass that left the opposition searching for answers.

Sent in to bat first, the RCB batting lineup put on an absolute show. They posted a massive total of 254/5, which now stands as the highest-ever team score in the history of the IPL playoffs. Leading the charge was captain Rajat Patidar, who played a sensational, undefeated knock of 93 runs off just 33 deliveries. Supporting the captain’s onslaught, opener Virat Kohli and all-rounder Krunal Pandya contributed crucial, identical knocks of 43 runs each to dismantle the Gujarat Titans bowling attack.

Virat Kohli Rewrites IPL History Books Yet Again

Apart from the team’s collective success, Virat Kohli added another set of glittering achievements to his illustrious career. During his 43-run knock against GT, the former RCB skipper became the first batter in IPL history to score 600-plus runs in four consecutive seasons, underlining his incredible consistency in the shortest format of the game.

Additionally, Kohli etched his name as the first batter ever to cross the 500-run milestone against Gujarat Titans. This feat expands his legendary dominance in the tournament, as he has now scored over 500 runs against eight different active IPL franchises: Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans.

READ: Jasprit Bumrah's Form Crisis: Veda Krishnamurthy Urges MI to Check on Star Pacer

Gujarat Titans Crumble Under Pressure Despite Tewatia’s Fight

Faced with a mountainous target of 255 runs, the Gujarat Titans’ run chase began in disastrous fashion. The pressure of the scoreboard proved too heavy to handle as GT lost five top-order wickets inside the powerplay. Skipper Shubman Gill suffered a cheap dismissal, while Sai Sudharsan’s rare hit-wicket dismissal added to their early woes.

Middle-order batsman Rahul Tewatia fought a spirited lone battle, smashing a quick-fire 68 runs, but he found absolutely no support from the other end. GT’s innings eventually folded for 162 runs. Fast bowler Jacob Duffy was the star of the ball for RCB, claiming three wickets to seal the comprehensive victory. Despite the defeat, the 2022 champions still have a lifeline. Gujarat Titans will play in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a second chance to enter the final.

Viral Moments: Kohli Teases Shubman Gill with Hilarious Gestures

While the on-field battle was intense, the post-match atmosphere saw a completely relaxed and jovial Virat Kohli. A video quickly went viral across various social media platforms showing Kohli playfully teasing GT captain Shubman Gill during the Titans’ group photo session at the Dharamshala stadium.

As Gill and his teammates gathered on the outfield for their photo session, Kohli, standing near the boundary line alongside other RCB players, caught Gill’s attention. The RCB veteran began mimicking his famous ‘Babaji Ka Thullu’ hand gesture while grinning widely. He followed it up with a funny dance step and a playful snake gesture directed at the young GT skipper, leaving fans online in absolute splits.

READ: WWE star Drew McIntyre joins Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fan club, Riyan Parag stunned - WWE Star Drew McIntyre Backs IPL Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Fake Bowling Run-Up Prank That Fooled Fans

The playful teasing was not the only light-hearted moment involving Kohli during the match. Earlier, while RCB was in the field, Kohli was seen taking the ball in hand and meticulously marking out his bowling run-up. He walked with intensity, building up the anticipation that he might roll his arm over in a high-stakes playoff encounter.

However, instead of taking the run-up, Kohli simply passed the ball over to teammate Jacob Duffy, walked toward the match umpire, collected his cap, and shared a hearty laugh. While the former captain did not actually bowl during the match, the amusing prank quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening among cricket fans worldwide.

Kabir Anand

Kabir Anand is a senior cricket correspondent for India Today, respected for turning intricate match data into accessible and compelling narratives. A graduate of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, he began his career covering the city’s Kanga League and age‑group tournaments before stepping onto the IPL and international stage. Kabir specialises in T20 tactics, with a unique focus on the often‑overlooked art of wicketkeeping and fielding analytics. Whether breaking down a death‑over strategy or profiling the sharpest glovesmen in world cricket, his writing combines clarity with technical rigour. He has reported from multiple IPL seasons, T20 World Cups, and bilateral series, and is a regular contributor to India Today’s digital and broadcast platforms. A RedInk Award winner, Kabir remains driven by a belief that modern cricket journalism must blend real‑time data with the timeless craft of storytelling.