While Rajat Patidar’s record- breaking batting fireworks grabbed all the headlines in Qualifier 1, a deeply emotional moment off the field completely stole the hearts of cricket fans . After Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off that spectacular win over the Gujarat Titans, a viral post match hug between modern-day legend Virat Kohli and RCB icon AB de Villiers broke the internet, like really.
That beautiful reunion was basically a heart warming reminder of the tight bonds that shape the franchise’s rich history, and well you know how people get.
A Grand Reunion Under the Dharamshala Lights
AB de Villiers, who is widely seen as one of the great pillars in RCB’s legacy, was on hand at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, to witness the high stakes playoff match. He stayed near the boundary line, watching the present day generation of RCB stars dismantle the Gujarat Titans, step by step, and secure a straight ticket to the grand final.
The minute the match ended, and the victory was sealed, Virat Kohli noticed his longtime friend, and former batting partner, standing nearby. The two iconic legends then shared a warm, tight embrace, and it brought back years of nostalgic memories for millions of fans watching across the globe .
🚨 VIRAT KOHLI ON AB DE VILLIERS 🚨
Virat Kohli Said 🗣️, “I and the RCB fans miss you a lot, friend.” 😭♥️ pic.twitter.com/06JP2PqX45
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) May 26, 2026
Capturing the Hearts of Millions Online
That emotional moment was caught pretty much perfectly by the broadcasting cameras and then shared really fast across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter )and Instagram. In mere minutes, the footage went viral , trending right at the very top of the sports feeds globally.
For the RCB loyalists, seeing “Saala Maachis” (the famous friendly nickname the duo shared) back together, celebrating a monumental victory, was honestly the absolute perfect icing on the cake. Fans poured in with emotional messages, saying the hug was the most iconic non-cricketing scene of the IPL 2026 season.
Passing the Torch to a New Era
That beautiful embrace also felt like a real, heartfelt passing of the torch. While Kohli and De Villiers spent years carrying the batting burden of the franchise together, they still got to witness a fresh kind of guidance as Rajat Patidar captained the squad into the finals with total authority.
Standing side by side on the field after the win, the mutual respect and pure joy between Kohli and De Villiers made it clear that even when players retire, the brotherhood and the passion for the red-and-gold jersey stays completely untouched.
