Virat Kohli, a pillar of consistency and brilliance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), had a rare off-moment on the field during their high-stakes IPL 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While RCB eventually pulled off a nerve-wracking win, Kohli’s fielding lapse nearly turned the tide in CSK’s favour.
Defending a mammoth total of 213, RCB were in a tight spot as CSK mounted a fierce comeback. In the 19th over, with the match hanging in the balance, Ravindra Jadeja lofted a straightforward catch toward long-on. Positioned perfectly was Kohli — one of the safest hands in world cricket — but in a shocking turn, he misjudged the ball. Despite making good ground to his right, the ball hit his body after slipping through his hands and rolled away to the boundary.
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The dropped chance proved costly in the moment as Jadeja capitalised brilliantly. He remained unbeaten on 77 off just 45 balls, anchoring CSK’s chase with authority. His knock, laced with eight fours and two sixes, kept the visitors in the hunt.
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Virat Kohli’s reaction after the drop said it all — visibly gutted, he wore a frustrated expression, while RCB captain Rajat Patidar clapped from a distance in a gesture of support despite the missed opportunity.
Ayush Mhatre also played a sensational hand, scoring 94 and partnering with Jadeja for a 114-run stand that put RCB on the ropes. The duo’s counterattack had RCB under immense pressure, and with MS Dhoni chipping in a quick 12, CSK were sniffing victory.
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But RCB held their nerve when it mattered the most. Yash Dayal bowled a brilliant final over, defending 15 runs with ice in his veins to secure a thrilling win for Bengaluru. Kohli’s blip was overshadowed by the team’s resolve, as RCB walked away with a crucial win in a high-voltage clash.
