NEW DELHI: Big players produce their best on the biggest stage, and Virat Kohli once again lived up to that reputation in the IPL 2026 final.With Royal Challengers Bengaluru chasing 156 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kohli produced a vintage masterclass under pressure, bringing up the fastest half-century of his IPL career in the summit clash.The RCB star reached the milestone in just 25 balls, eclipsing his previous best of 26-ball fifties against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in 2018. Remarkably, the record-breaking knock came in his 19th IPL season and on the grandest stage of them all.Fastest IPL fifty arrives in title clashKohli had already signalled his intent during a blazing opening partnership with Venkatesh Iyer.The duo tore into the Gujarat attack and powered 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 raced away to 23 off eight balls, while Iyer hammered 26 off 13 as the defending champions seized early control of the chase.However, Gujarat fought back strongly. After the opening stand of 62, RCB suddenly lost four wickets for just 29 runs, threatening to derail the chase.That was when Kohli switched gears.While wickets tumbled at the other end, the former RCB captain maintained his composure and continued to find boundaries at regular intervals.His landmark moment arrived in the 12th over when he pulled Arshad Khan for a boundary to bring up his half-century. Kohli celebrated with a raise of the bat after reaching the milestone with seven fours and two sixes.Fastest 50s for Kohli in the IPL (by balls faced)

Among the fastest fifties in IPL final historyThe 25-ball knock also earned Kohli a place among the quickest half-centuries recorded in an IPL final.Only Suresh Raina (2010), David Warner (2016) and Venkatesh Iyer (2024) have reached the mark faster, all doing so in 24 deliveries.For Kohli, though, the timing made it special.Earlier, RCB’s bowlers had laid the foundation by restricting Gujarat Titans to 155 for 8. Rasikh Salam starred with 3 for 27, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two wickets each.But as the pressure of a title chase mounted, it was Kohli who once again embraced the moment. On a night where records continued to tumble, the IPL’s greatest run-machine produced yet another innings for the big occasion.Fastest 50s in IPL final (by balls faced)