Virat Kohli lit up the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium once again with a sublime knock in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s crucial IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Opening the innings on a pitch that had plenty of runs on offer, Kohli looked in vintage touch—fluid in his strokeplay, sharp in his running, and ruthless against anything loose.
From the outset, Kohli set the tone with his intent. Alongside Phil Salt, he gave RCB a brisk start, capitalising on an early dropped catch by RR skipper Riyan Parag. The duo added 61 runs for the first wicket before Salt departed, and Devdutt Padikkal joined the former RCB captain to keep the momentum going.
Virat Kohli, unfazed by the bowling variations, dispatched the RR bowlers to all parts of the ground and reached yet another well-crafted half-century. His timing was exquisite, especially on the offside, as he pierced the gaps with precision.
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But just as he seemed primed for a big hundred, his innings came to an abrupt end. Jofra Archer, bowling a deceptive slower leg-cutter, lured Kohli into a miscalculated punch over extra cover. The ball gripped off the surface, took the splice of the bat, and floated into the safe hands of Nitish Rana.
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Virat Kohli’s frustration was palpable. Back in the dressing room, he was seen visibly furious with himself, slapping his thigh and muttering in anger—an emotional reaction that quickly went viral across social media. It was a rare outburst from the usually composed star, revealing how much this innings meant in front of a home crowd that has long idolised him.
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Despite his dismissal, Kohli’s 70 off 42 balls provided RCB with the foundation they needed to post a formidable total, setting the tone for a high-stakes encounter in their playoff push.
