Ananya Birla’s Awkward Moment With Virat Kohli Caught On Camera – Ananya Birla’s Awkward Handshake Moment with Virat Kohli Goes Viral After RCB’s IPL 2026 Semifinal Win
RCB Smash Record, Reach IPL 2026 Final in Dominant Fashion
It was a night of high drama, record-breaking performances, and unexpected off-field moments at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a clinical performance to defeat Gujarat Titans (GT) by a staggering 92 runs in Qualifier 1, securing their spot in the IPL 2026 final.
Record-Breaking Bat First, Crush the Chase
Opting to bat, RCB unleashed one of the most explosive innings in IPL playoff history, posting a mammoth 254/5 in their 20 overs—the highest score ever in an IPL knockout match.
Captain Rajat Patidar was the undisputed star, smashing a blistering 93 off just 33 balls. His knock, laced with 9 sixes and 7 fours, shifted gears dramatically during the death overs, transforming what looked like a strong 220+ total into an almost unreachable mountain for GT.
Patidar received vital support from Virat Kohli, who anchored the early phase with a quickfire 43 off 25 balls, and Krunal Pandya, who contributed a valuable 43 off 28 deliveries, ensuring momentum never dipped.
Bowlers Seal the Deal
In reply, Gujarat Titans were bundled out for a meager 162 in 17.4 overs, unable to cope with the relentless pressure. Despite a determined 68 from Rahul Tewatia and a brief 29 from Jos Buttler, the rest of the lineup crumbled under the weight of the required run rate.
RCB’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Jacob Duffy took center stage with 3 crucial wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, and Rasikh Salam Dar each claimed two scalps, wrapping up the innings in commanding fashion.
Off-Field Moment Steals the Spotlight
Amidst the on-field heroics, it was a split-second interaction that quickly became the talk of social media. As celebrations erupted, cameras captured Virat Kohli approaching the stands to greet his wife, Anushka Sharma, and businesswoman and singer Ananya Birla.
In the now-viral clip, Ananya Birla is seen stepping forward with open arms, seemingly expecting a warm hug. However, Kohli instead extended his hand for a handshake—a gesture that looked mildly awkward on screen.
The brief moment sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans and commentators speculating on the nature of the interaction. Was it a simple misread of the situation? A sign of formality? Or just an innocent mix-up in the heat of the moment?
Regardless of intent, the exchange stood in contrast to what followed: Kohli immediately walking over to Anushka Sharma and sharing a long, emotional embrace—a powerful reminder of their enduring bond.
RCB Eye Long-Awaited Title
With this commanding victory, RCB now await the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. The stage is set for the IPL 2026 final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—the largest cricket stadium in the world.
For RCB fans, the dream of another championship runs strong. This time, they hope, the pieces might finally fall into place—on the field, and even in the stands.
The team’s blend of explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and leadership under pressure has them peaking at the right time. Whether that includes managing post-match social cues as carefully as run chases remains to be seen.
