Virat Kohli Scores 9th IPL Century; Dwayne Bravo Praises Batter in Heartfelt Post-Match Moment
Dwayne Bravo hugs Virat Kohli after his 9th IPL century and tells the star batter, Sport needs you.
Virat Kohli produced a memorable return to form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a match-winning century against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026, drawing admiration from fans, teammates, and former players alike. Kohli’s unbeaten 105 off 60 balls guided defending champions RCB to a six-wicket victory at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday, ending concerns over his form after back-to-back ducks earlier in the tournament.
The century marked Kohli’s ninth IPL hundred and, once again, highlighted his ability to respond under pressure in crucial matches. Chasing a competitive target against Kolkata Knight Riders, the former RCB captain anchored the innings with a blend of controlled aggression and calculated stroke play. His knock included boundaries all around the ground and helped Bengaluru comfortably complete the chase while strengthening their position in the playoff race.
Following the match, former Chennai Super Kings all-rounder and current KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo shared an emotional moment with Kohli that quickly went viral on social media. In a video posted by RCB on Instagram, Bravo was seen embracing Kohli and telling him, “Play as long as possible; the sport needs you.” The heartfelt message resonated strongly with cricket fans, many of whom praised Bravo’s gesture and acknowledged Kohli’s enduring impact on the game.
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Kohli’s return to form comes at a crucial stage of the IPL season as RCB continue their push toward another playoff appearance. The veteran batter has once again emerged as the backbone of Bengaluru’s batting lineup, delivering important performances despite intense scrutiny throughout the campaign. His century against KKR also reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in IPL history and one of the league’s biggest attractions.
The match itself proved to be a disappointing outing for Kolkata Knight Riders, who struggled to contain Kohli after failing to capitalize on key moments during the chase. Despite putting up a competitive total, KKR’s bowling attack was unable to break Kohli’s rhythm once he settled at the crease. The defeat further complicated Kolkata’s playoff hopes as the tournament enters its decisive final phase.
Kohli’s innings and Bravo’s reaction added another memorable chapter to the long-standing mutual respect shared among IPL stars across franchises. Over the years, Kohli has earned admiration from teammates and opponents alike for his longevity, fitness, and commitment to the sport. Bravo’s statement reflected a sentiment shared widely within the cricketing community, with many fans and former players continuing to view Kohli as one of the defining figures of modern cricket and a central attraction of the IPL.
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