The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was full of energy on Wednesday night when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match 23 IPL 2026. While RCB took a convincing win, one of the biggest talking points of the night was Virat Kohli falling just one run short of a well-deserved half-century.
Virat Kohli looks for a big shot but gets caught in the deep
RCB were chasing a target of 147 and needed a solid foundation, and Kohli stepped up once again. Coming out to a roaring home crowd, he seemed to be in complete control from the start. His innings was a mix of elegance and intent, with crisp covers, intelligent strike rotation and timely boundaries keeping the chase on the right track.
Kohli looked destined for another fifty as he moved to 49 off just 33 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six along the way. The crowd sensed the moment and rose to their feet in anticipation of another milestone from their favorite batsman.
However, cricket can be unpredictable. In the first delivery of the 11th over, Avesh Khan tempted Kohli to take the aerial route. In an attempt to clear the leg-side boundary, he missed slightly and the ball was caught safely by Nicolas Pooran near the rope. The stadium fell into a brief silence as Kohli returned, just one run short of his fifty.
Despite the disappointment, his innings had already done the job – setting up the chase and putting RCB in a comfortable position.
Anushka Sharma’s reaction goes viral
While Kohli’s dismissal was a key moment of the match, it was his wife Anushka Sharma’s reaction in the stands that really captured hearts. Watching the game closely, she was visibly involved in every ball her husband faced.
As Kohli turned 49 and looked set to achieve a milestone, the cameras turned to Anushka. She leaned forward, hands clasped, almost as if silently willing the moment to unfold in her favor. It was an image of hope and anticipation.
Then came the dismissal. As the ball rose into the air, his expression instantly changed. The moment they took the catch, she put her hands on her cheeks, clearly stunned. The disappointment was evident, but so was their support. Within seconds, he started applauding warmly, appreciating Kohli’s effort despite a near miss.
That genuine and relatable reaction quickly went viral on social media platforms.
Here is the video:
Anushka Sharma disappointed as Virat Kohli dismisses 49 runs pic.twitter.com/cygIUND3M
— Learn-Survive (@pandu291190) April 15, 2026
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Fans connected with the moment, calling it heartfelt and real. Many praised her for showing excitement and encouragement, with comments highlighting how she seemed to want the milestone as much as anyone watching.
Back on the field, RCB had no problems finishing the job. Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma played cameos, while Tim David and Romario Shepherd added valuable runs to ensure there were no late hiccups. The team finally chased down the target with ease. reaching 149/5 in 15.1 overs and secure a five-wicket win.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Fans go crazy as Rasikh Salam’s fiery spell storms RCB to emphatic win against LSG
