Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 to make it to the final of the tournament. This is their third final after 2011 and 2016.
Kohli who has remained without an IPL title since the last 17 years in the IPL is now just one game away from tasting PL success. This will be the first ever IPL title for Virat Kohli if RCB goes on to win the final on May 3.
Kohli, who has every major batting record to his name in the IPL is without the IPL title since its inception in 2008.
Watch - Virat Kohli's Emotions After RCB Makes It To 3rd IPL Final
Virat Kohli played an important role in galvanising his side as they were up for it against PBKS. He was actively taking part in field placements and helped RCB skipper Rajat Patidar in every way possible as RCB bowlers blew the Kings away in the contest.
RCB bowled out PBKS for just 101 after a brilliant bowling display led by Josh Hazlewood who returned from injury to play the Qualifier 1. He took three wickets including the key wicket of Shreyas Iyer to set Punjab on the backfoot early in the game. Suyash Sharma then weaved his magic as he took three wickets and derailed their innings in the middle overs.
RCB cantered through to their target of 102 runs in just 10 overs and won the match with 60 overs to spare. Kohli scored 12 runs off 12 balls. It was Phil Salt who anchored the RCB innings with an unbeaten knock of 56 runs from 27 balls. Suyash was chosen as the Player of the Match for his figures of 3 wickets for just 17 runs.
After the game, Virat Kohli was visibly ecstatic after RCB made it to their first final in nine years. He was seen congratulating and hugging his teammates as there was a sense of relief that was visible in his eyes. He also signalled to his wife, Anushka Sharma about being just one game away from being IPL champions.
"I think we were clear in our plans, how we have to bowl. I think the fast bowlers used the surface really well. The way Suyash chipped in, the way he bowled his lines and lengths, that was really good. As a captain I am clear about his bowling. He has to target the stumps, that's his strength. His wrong 'un is difficult to read for the batters. I always want to give him clear ideas, I don't want to confuse him. The way he (Salt) is batting in most of the matches. The way he is giving starts, I am a big fan of him. It's a treat to watch him from the dugout. That's really good" RCB skipper said on Suyash and Phil Salt.
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Lost The Battle, Not The War - Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer also spoke in the post-match presentation after Punajb's loss to RCB. He remained hopeful saying that his team has lost the battle and not the war. Punjab will face the winner of the Eliminator contest between GT and MI in Qualifier 2 on Sunday, June 1.
"In all the games we have played here, there has been some variable bounce. We can't give such reasons because we are professionals at the end of the day, and we have to bat according to the situation, and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle, but not the war," Iyer said.
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