New Delhi: Virat Kohli delivered a crucial half-century to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secure a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, taking them to the top of the standings. Kohli’s composed 51 off 47 balls, which included four boundaries, was pivotal as RCB chased down a target of 163 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. His partnership with Krunal Pandya, which produced 100 runs, proved vital after RCB found themselves at a challenging 26/3.
This half-century marked Kohli’s sixth of the season, pushing him to the forefront in the race for the Orange Cap with 443 runs from 10 innings, 16 more than Suryakumar Yadav in second place, and Sai Sudharsan in third with 417 runs.
After the match, Kohli reflected on his performance and the conditions, emphasizing the importance of rotating the strike. He explained that the pitch in Delhi played differently compared to previous matches and required a tactical approach. “It was a great win, especially considering the surface,” he said. “We saw a few games here, and this wicket behaved differently. Whenever there’s a chase, I keep checking with the dugout to make sure we’re on track, and I focus on my role in the chase. It was a significant partnership with Krunal.”
Kohli elaborated on his process for run-chases, noting that he closely monitors the scoreboard, playing conditions, and bowlers. He stressed the importance of keeping the game moving by rotating the strike. “I focus on the total on the board, the conditions, and the bowlers coming in. I ensure the singles and doubles keep flowing, which avoids the game becoming stagnant. People are forgetting how crucial partnerships and taking the game deep are in T20 cricket,” he said.
The RCB star highlighted that IPL 2025 has reinforced the importance of building partnerships rather than trying to dominate from the first ball. “This year, you can’t just come in and tee off from ball one. You need professionalism to read the situation, and partnerships are key. On a slow pitch, you can’t dominate without understanding how to rotate the strike,” Kohli added.
In summary, Kohli’s approach to the game in IPL 2025 focuses on assessing conditions, playing according to the situation, and maintaining momentum by rotating the strike, a strategy that has proven crucial in recent matches.
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