Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli smashed a half-century in opposition to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as RCB pulled out a slender two-run victory. Kohli confirmed his aggressive facet proper from the powerplay, and made his intentions clear by hammering CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed for back-to-back sixes within the third over of the innings. It additionally allowed Kohli to fulfil his prophecy from earlier than, as he had warned Khaleel earlier within the season throughout an altercation from the primary time these two sides met.
On March 28, throughout the first assembly between CSK and RCB in IPL 2025, pacer Khaleel Ahmed had began celebrating Virat Kohli’s wicket although the latter hadn’t been given out.
Following that, Kohli had seemingly jokingly warned the pacer that he would dish out the remedy on the sector once they meet subsequent.
Watch: Virat Kohli takes Khaleel Ahmed to the cleaners
He stated it, he did it. #ViratKohli launches a pair into the stands off #KhaleelAhmed‘s bowling! The KING remembers & strikes again!
Watch the LIVE motion https://t.co/dl97nUeINj #IPLonJioStar #RCBvCSK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star… pic.twitter.com/TaxGW3TofA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 3, 2025
“Ab tu aa (You come once again),” Kohli had informed Khaleel, hinting that he wouldn’t spare the pacer the following time they met.
Kohli’s efficiency on Saturday ensured that his prophecy got here true. The 36-year-old clobbered Khaleel for 2 consecutive sixes to complete off the third over of RCB’s innings.
KING REMEMBERS!
Come for Virat MSD, keep for Virat Khaleel too!
Watch the LIVE motion https://t.co/dl97nUeINj #IPLonJioStar #RCBvCSK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/khdozY9jMg
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 3, 2025
It was a day to overlook for Khaleel. In his two overs within the powerplay, he was slammed for 32 runs by Kohli and Jacob Bethell. However, his distress was compiled on the finish when RCB finisher Romario Shepherd smashed 33 runs off him, to finish the most costly over in IPL 2025.
Khaleel was smashed for 4 sixes and two boundaries within the over by Shepherd, who ended up slamming the joint-second-fastest half-century in IPL historical past, due to his 14-ball 53.
Shepherd’s knock took RCB previous the 200-run mark, and ensured they attain a complete of 213/5 in 20 overs. The whole proved to be sufficient as CSK narrowly fell brief.
Khaleel has loved an excellent season regardless of his crew’s poor kind, taking 14 wickets in 11 matches.
Kohli has hit kind on the proper crew, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru shifting as much as the highest of the IPL 2025 factors desk with their victory over CSK. Having gained eight out of their 11 video games to date, RCB are actually as much as 16 factors and their spot within the playoffs look sure.
RCB have gained six away video games in IPL 2025, and have now gained two on the trot at residence on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Under Rajat Patidar‘s captaincy, RCB seem like one of many title-contenders.
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