Virat Kohli produced a solid performance with the bat, and then stole the show with his trademark celebrations during RCB’s thrilling win over RR on Thursday.
𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 that speak louder than words 🥳#TATAIPL | #RCBvRR | @imVkohli | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/Q4B09fkllE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 24, 2025
Earlier, it was Kohli the batter who steadied RCB’s innings after a nervy start. Despite a few early streaky boundaries, he grew into his fluent best, registering a confident 70 off 42 balls – his first fifty at home this season and fifth overall. Alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed a brisk 50 off 27, Kohli stitched a 95-run stand for the second wicket, lifting RCB to a commanding 205 on a sluggish surface.
RCB’s late flourish came from Jitesh Sharma and Tim David, whose calculated aggression ensured the home side crossed the 200-mark.
Chasing 206, Rajasthan Royals blazed off the blocks, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hammering 49 off just 19 balls. He tore into Hazlewood with five boundaries and a six, but the Aussie pacer had the last laugh, cramping Jaiswal for room and forcing a miscue to mid-wicket.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, RR’s 14-year-old impact player, entertained briefly with two sixes before a knuckle ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar ended his cameo. While Dhruv Jurel (47) mounted a gritty resistance, RCB’s bowling unit, led by Hazlewood’s 4/33, tightened the noose. With the win, RCB have jumped above Mumbai Indians to the third spot on the table with six wins in nine matches. They will now take on Delhi Capitals in an away match on Sunday; RCB remain undefeated on the road this year, having clinched wins in all of their four away games so far.
