NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli continues to dazzle in the IPL 2025 season, smashing his fifth half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) edged out Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. Kohli’s 42-ball 70 powered RCB to 205/5 – a total their bowlers successfully defended, securing the team’s sixth win of the season and lifting them to third in the points table.
Now playing his 18th season – all for RCB – the 36-year-old is second in the Orange Cap race with 392 runs at an average of 65.33 and a strike rate of 144.11. But beyond the numbers, it’s Kohli’s mindset that continues to inspire.
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RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik was effusive in his praise. “Virat Kohli, what do you tell about him? There’s a loss for words purely because of the hunger that he has,” Karthik said in a video shared by the franchise. “It’s one thing to play IPL for 18 years, but it’s a different thing to be consistent for 18 years.”
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Karthik revealed Kohli’s deep reflection after RCB’s early home games. “He told me, ‘Probably could have thought a little better,’ and he knows a lot of people turn up just to watch him bat.”
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“The way he adapts, understands situations… I’m too small a person to even speak about it. He’s an absolute champion,” Karthik added.
With Kohli leading the way, RCB’s playoff push looks strong, while RR’s hopes have faded after their seventh loss in nine matches.
