The high-pressure IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium took an intense turn when Virat Kohli and DC skipper KL Rahul found themselves at the center of a heated verbal exchange during RCB’s chase of 163. The incident added a layer of drama to an already thrilling contest, showcasing the competitive nature of two of Indian cricket’s modern-day greats.
RCB, chasing a target of 163 after Delhi posted 162/8 in their innings, found themselves struggling to gain momentum early. Kohli, tasked with anchoring the chase, looked composed amidst the pressure but a brief flare-up occurred during the middle overs. The verbal exchange between Kohli and Rahul came after some tension developed on the field, with the cause of the disagreement remaining unclear.
As Virat Kohli approached the crease, he was seen speaking to Rahul, who responded with a puzzled expression. The brief moment of tension, however, didn’t escalate further, and both players quickly moved on. Kohli resumed his focus on leading RCB’s chase, determined to steady the ship after the rocky start.
WATCH – Virat Kohli’s Fielding Blunder Shifts Momentum in RCB’s IPL 2025 Match Against DC
What seemed like a trivial exchange soon became a talking point, adding spice to the contest as the IPL 2025 playoff race heated up. Kohli and Rahul, known for their off-field camaraderie, are close friends, so the disagreement likely stemmed from a minor issue. The incident, however, was further compounded by a few factors earlier in the over.
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Things are heating up in Delhi! 🔥#ViratKohli and #KLRahul exchange a few words in this nail-biting match between #DC and #RCB. 💪
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Just before Kohli faced the penultimate ball of the seventh over, KL Rahul had a brief conversation with bowler Vipraj Nigam. This happened after DC had been warned by the umpires for illegal fielding placements during a free-hit delivery faced by Krunal Pandya. With time being wasted, Kohli appeared visibly frustrated and voiced his displeasure with the umpires, possibly over the delay in resuming play. This seemed to add fuel to the fire, igniting the brief altercation between the two.
On the field, RCB’s chase was already under pressure. Axar Patel’s early breakthroughs, including two wickets in the third over, and a run-out of Rajat Patidar, left RCB scrambling. Kohli, who has been the backbone of RCB’s successful run-chases this season, found himself in the midst of a challenging situation. Axar’s brilliant tactics kept Kohli quiet in the early overs, while Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam provided excellent support, making it tough for RCB to score freely.
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With the middle overs proving difficult, it became clear that Kohli had to bail RCB out, with limited support from his teammates. As RCB fought to stay alive in the chase, Kohli’s resolve was tested, not only by Delhi’s bowlers but also by the minor on-field distractions. The game was crucial for both sides, and every moment seemed to carry added weight as the players navigated the high-stakes encounter.
