In a fiery showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Virat Kohli had the final word against KL Rahul as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in the 46th match of IPL 2025. And Kohli didn’t miss the chance to take a playful dig at Rahul with a pointed “This is my ground” celebration.
Chasing a tricky target of 163, RCB were rocked early, losing Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar inside the first four overs. At 26/3, the chase looked shaky, but Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya calmed the chaos. The duo batted with remarkable composure early on, respecting the conditions, before gradually shifting gears.
Kohli and Krunal stitched together a match-winning 119-run partnership that knocked the wind out of DC’s bowling attack. Kohli, playing the perfect anchor, scored a vital 51 before falling in the 18th over, while Krunal Pandya stayed unbeaten on 73 to easily see RCB home.
WATCH – Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s Intense On-Field Chat Sparks Drama in IPL 2025
The victory was sweet, but Kohli’s post-match celebration was even sweeter. As KL Rahul was seen chatting casually with Karun Nair and Devdutt Padikkal after the match, Kohli cheekily mimicked Rahul’s iconic “This is my ground” gesture — a nod to Rahul’s dramatic celebration earlier in the season when DC had defeated RCB in Bengaluru.
Kohli doing that celebration with kl Rahul 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fWy1kdyMSF
— Lou Bloom (@Knight__Crawler) April 27, 2025
This moment, filled with good spirits and a touch of rivalry, underlined the intensity and camaraderie between two of India cricket’s biggest stars. Kohli’s celebration wasn’t just payback; it was a reminder of how fiercely competitive — yet playfully spirited — the IPL can be.
WATCH – Virat Kohli’s Fielding Blunder Shifts Momentum in RCB’s IPL 2025 Match Against D
With this win, RCB not only collected crucial points but also reignited their playoff hopes, while Kohli once again showed why he thrives under pressure, both with the bat and with his ever-passionate spirit.
