Courtesy: BCCI/IPL/Star Sports
Virat Kohli looked in brilliant touch with his bat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting first after losing the toss, RCB got a swift start from Kohli, who batted along with his opening partner Phil Salt confidently. The England top-order batter departed after scoring 26 off 23 but Kohli showed relentless approach against bowlers and went on to score his 60th fifty in tournament history. He completed his half-century in just 32 balls, fifth of the 2025 IPL season. Bengaluru spectators got to witness their star player’s maiden fifty of the tournament at their team’s home ground.
In the 16th over of the match, Virat Kohli fell to Jofra Archer and concluded his innings after scoring 70 off just 42. His ferocious knock was studded with 10 boundaries (eight fours and two maximums). The 36-year-old is currently the leading run-getter for Bengaluru in this tournament. RCB will expect their veteran batter to continue his fierce approach against bowlers to advance to the playoffs comfortably. Following Kohli’s dismissal, RCB have sent Tim David to support Devdutt Padikkal in the middle. The Australia player is known for hammering bowlers in the final over of the innings.
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RR look to win their battle of survival in IPL 2025
For RR, the ongoing game is vital as the loss against Challengers can end their 2025 campaign. So far in the tournament, Rajasthan have amassed only two victories in eight matches. On the difficult bowling track, RCB have batted exceptionally and RR will now expect their batters to take advantage of the conditions and pound bowlers in the second innings.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has exuded confidence with his bat in the previous few matches, will have to deliver a quality start to his side. This year, the southpaw has accumulated 307 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 139.54. In the last three matches, his scores were 75, 51, and 74.
