The bowler ran in. The field was up. Kohli, at the non-striker’s end, watched as his partner pushed the ball toward mid-wicket. They ran. The throw came in. It was a direct hit... but they had made it.
The 2025 season was not just another season; it was a referendum on his legacy in the shortest format.
Two runs needed off the last ball.
In a high-pressure chase of 210, RCB was reeling at 30/3. The top order had collapsed. The dreaded "choke" narrative began circulating on social media. This was the moment where Kohli’s season—and perhaps RCB's history—would be decided.
RCB started the season with a revamped squad. The focus was on younger firepower, but the soul of the team remained Kohli. virat kohli ipl 2025
RCB’s chase started disastrously. The openers fell cheaply. At the halfway mark, RCB was 88/2, needing 109 off 60 balls. The required run rate was climbing. Kohli was at the crease, but wickets were falling at the other end.
Going into IPL 2025, Kohli had prepared meticulously. Following a strong international summer, he looked in supreme touch from the first match. His strike rate in the powerplay—hovering around 155—was significantly higher than in previous seasons, showing an aggressive intent. The bowler ran in
Although RCB retained as captain, Kohli’s on-field presence was unmistakable. He acted as a senior strategist , constantly in conversation with bowlers and setting aggressive fields. His energy in the field—even at 36—remained infectious, inspiring younger players like Rajat Patidar and Akash Deep.
Kohli was now 36. The cricketing world was increasingly obsessed with the "Impact Player" rule and aggressive, 200+ strike-rate batting. Critics whispered: Is Kohli's "anchor" role obsolete? Can he adapt to the modern slam-bang format? They ran
On the third ball of the final over, amidst a deafening roar that shook the stadium, Kohli pushed a single to cover. The non-striker, a young finisher, hit a boundary and then took a double.