Virat Kohli's Leadership Shines in RCB's Dominant Win Over Punjab Kings
Kohli's Tactical Brilliance
Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his leadership qualities during Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur. His keen insight into the game was pivotal in the dismissal of Punjab Kings’ Impact Player, Musheer Khan. With Punjab struggling at 60/6, Musheer was brought in as a last-ditch effort. However, Kohli, positioned at slip, anticipated that Musheer would attempt a sweep shot. When the next delivery was bowled, it was indeed a looping ball, and Musheer executed the sweep, resulting in a clear LBW decision.
Kohli's Reaction Sparks Debate
What caught attention was not just the wicket but Kohli's reaction afterward. Instead of a warm acknowledgment, he was seen gesturing towards Musheer while chatting with a teammate, seemingly mocking the young player. In high-stakes matches, such intensity is expected, but dismissive behavior towards a newcomer raises eyebrows. Nonetheless, given the high-profile nature of the match, some may overlook this behavior or even celebrate it.
RCB's Bowling Attack Overwhelms Punjab
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowlers showcased their dominance as Punjab Kings collapsed to just 101 runs in 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Suyash Sharma also impressed with figures of 3 for 17. Yash Dayal contributed with 2 for 26, and both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd added a wicket each. For Punjab, only Marcus Stoinis (26) and Prabhsimran Singh (18) managed to put up any resistance, while skipper Shreyas Iyer fell early as wickets tumbled frequently. RCB's effective and varied bowling on a lively pitch in Mullanpur set them on the right path towards securing a place in the finals.
Watch the Highlights
Watch the video here:
— Birdman (@kingbirdman22) May 29, 2025
Watch the video here:
Did anyone else notice the (probable) lip-sync and gestures from Virat Kohli when Musheer Khan was taking guard?
— Siddhesh Khirwadkar (@sid_khirwadkar) May 29, 2025
If true, that’s surprising even by his own standards. Definitely not the best demeanour from a 'legend of the game.'#IPL2025 #PBKSvRCB @PunjabKingsIPL @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/8fQNodGWRD