 "Virat Kohli was no less than a captain in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 as he marshalled RCB to the final. Images: Reuters/AP")
Virat Kohli was in his element as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crushed Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 on Thursday to qualify for the final . This is RCB’s first final since 2016 and third overall; however, they are yet to win their maiden IPL title. The passion in Kohli’s veins to reach another final — and hopefully secure RCB’s first title — was on full display at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, as he celebrated every dismissal with the energy of a bowler who had taken the wicket himself.
But Kohli has always been like that — celebrating his team and teammates’ success as if it were his own, often even more than they do. This time, the narrative is even more emotional. Kohli is in his 18th season with RCB and has endured three heartbreaks — losses in the IPL finals of 2009, 2011, and 2016. But with the weight of captaincy now off his shoulders and RCB finally functioning like a team full of match-winners , Kohli is fired up with a renewed belief that IPL 2025 belongs to Bengaluru.
Kohli leads from the front at RCB
To make that dream come true, Kohli not only provided an infectious energy to his teammates with highly energetic celebrations but also often donned the role of a ‘shadow captain,’ sharing his experience and tactical acumen during a crucial game.
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Videos going viral from RCB’s victory show Kohli dishing out multiple instructions to the bowlers on hwo to trap a batter out and to the fielders on where they must be placed to cut short the PBKS innings.
One such video has been shared by official IPL broadcaster Star Sports in which Kohli can be seen leading from the front with his instructions. Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu can also be heard sharing his views on Kohli’s role during Qualifier 1.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Yeh Prakash graha hai, guru. Yeh disha dene waala hai, aur hidaayat dene waala bhi hai. Aur kyunki kad itna bada hai, bargad ke neeche bahut kam hoti hai. Isliye Patidar bhi sunta hai, baaki sab bhi sunte hain (“This is the planet of light, the guru. It shows the way and also gives guidance. And because its stature is so great, there’s little space under the banyan tree. That’s why Patidar listens, and so does everyone else),” Sidhu said in commentary.
Kohli has also been highly influential with the bat for RCB this season, scoring 614 runs so far at a strike rate of 146.53, including eight fifties.
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After beating PBKS in Qualifier 1, RCB will now have to wait for a while to find out their opponent in the final. PBKS will face the winner of the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2. The winner of Qualifier 2 will face RCB in the IPL 2025 final on 3 June.