New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been on a win-lose run since their last six games in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. On Sunday, they faced Punjab Kings (PBKS) in New Chandigarh and returned to winning ways on the back of ex-skipper Virat Kohli, who hit a sublime and unbeaten knock of 73 runs. As it turned out, what caught major attention was Kohli’s childlike reaction after the win, which was a celebration antic directed towards Shreyas Iyer, the PBKS skipper.
Kohli is highly revered for run-chases and displayed his heroics at the Mullanpur Stadium, exacting revenge for the defeat PBKS handed RCB only two days back in Bengaluru. Chasing a below-par target of 158 runs, Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal played match-winning knocks, hitting half-centuries each, and took the team over the line. However, it was wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma who hit the winning runs, a massive six which brought quite an animated reaction from Kohli.
RCB were cruising in the run-chase, and PBKS’ defeat was inevitable. As soon as Jitesh hit the six, Kohli turned to Iyer at the non-striker’s end and teased him with a playful celebration style. It didn’t agitate Iyer at all, who was ice-cool and rather went to the star batter to congratulate him for the victory. The incident went viral on social media, with some fans loving Kohli’s reaction to Iyer, while some called it an immature and childlike behaviour, not suited to the field.
Watch Kohli teasing Iyer during PBKS vs RCB game –
Virat and shreyas funny moment😂 pic.twitter.com/gO4oNMCpUk
— Akash Singh (@akash_143ji) April 20, 2025
RCB jump to 3rd spot
RCB’s seven-wicket victory came with the help of a solid 103-run stand for the second wicket between Kohli and Padikkal. While Kohli (73* off 54) was going at a medium pace, Padikkal shifted gears quickly to smack 61 off 35 balls before departing. RCB got over the line with 159/3 and seven balls to spare. Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match, but he didn’t find it valid and felt it should have gone to Padikkal, who actually “made a difference.”
RCB now has five wins to their credit out of the eight games played, and have lost three of those, meaning they boast 10 points. Meanwhile, PBKS slip to the fourth position with an equal number of wins, losses, and even points as RCB. Rajat Patidar and co. next face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 24 in Bengaluru, while PBKS will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata on April 26.
Virat Kohli hit a sublime knock of 54-ball 73* to deliver RCB’s fifth win of the season on Sunday, and his celebration caught the eyes of many as he playfully teased PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
