IPL 2026: Virat Kohli's 'naagin dance' thrills crowd; fans respond in style - WATCH

Guwahati, Friday night: Barsapara Cricket Stadium swayed to two very different rhythms. First came Virat Kohli’s impromptu ‘naagin dance’ during the rain-interrupted warm-ups, a moment that whipped the stands into a frenzy and set social-media timelines alight. Then, once the covers rolled off, 20-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a batting masterclass that left Royal Challengers Bengaluru spell-bound and Rajasthan Royals roaring to their fifth consecutive win of IPL 2026.

The evening had threatened to fizzle out before it began. A sodden outfield forced officials to delay the toss, but Kohli turned the hiatus into headline theatre. Sprinting towards the boundary rope, the RCB talisman mimicked the serpentine moves that have become his signature celebration, triggering deafening chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” Phones shot skyward; floodlights caught the grin that said he was loving every decibel.

When play finally commenced, Patidar’s men gave the crowd something else to cheer. Put in to bat, RCB cobbled together 201 for 8. Captain Rajat Patidar top-scored with a 63 that mixed calculated risk with raw power, while Kohli contributed 32 at the top and late cameos from Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29) pushed the total past 200. Yet 202 never felt safe against a Royals batting order that has been blistering all season.

Sooryavanshi confirmed as much in a blur of boundaries. Walking in after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early exit, the right-hander tore into anything loose, carting RCB’s pacers and spinners alike for 78 off 26 balls, an innings punctuated by seven sixes and five fours. Dhruv Jurel played the perfect foil, unfurling an unbeaten 81 off 43 deliveries packed with wristy placement and ice-cool running. Their 108-run second-wicket stand materialised in just 37 legitimate deliveries, swinging the asking rate firmly in Rajasthan’s favour.

Krunal Pandya briefly raised hopes of a twist, claiming two wickets in the 13th over, but Jurel and the experienced Ravindra Jadeja (24) shut the door. Rajasthan galloped home with six wickets and two overs to spare, maintaining their unbeaten record and underlining why many already pencil them into playoff calculations.

For Kohli, the night ended in disappointment on the scoreboard—his side now sits mid-table—but the image of his pre-match jig will loop on highlight reels. For Rajasthan, the focus shifts quickly: they meet Sunrisers Hyderabad on 13 April. RCB, meanwhile, have little time to lick wounds; Mumbai Indians await on Sunday.