Virat Kohli once again proved why he’s one of the best in the game, steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding seven-wicket win over Punjab Kings with an unbeaten 73 off 54 balls. Despite earning the Player of the Match award, Kohli insisted the real credit belonged to Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a crucial 61 and helped RCB secure their fifth consecutive away victory in IPL 2025.
Kohli and Padikkal’s 103-run partnership turned the chase of 158 into a smooth affair, lifting RCB to third place on the points table with 10 points from eight games. Kohli, known for his calculated approach, emphasized the success of his anchoring role, which allows aggressive players around him to express themselves.
“I thought Dev made the difference today. This award should go to him,” said Kohli during the post-match presentation. “Holding one end up is working for us. I understand the strengths of my teammates and play accordingly.”
Kohli also lauded the team’s performance post-auction, calling this season’s squad the most balanced RCB has ever had. “The auction went our way. The intensity and feistiness are clearly visible,” he added.
Skipper Rajat Patidar echoed Kohli’s sentiments, highlighting the bowlers’ tight spells and the batting duo’s flawless execution of plans. Padikkal too acknowledged Kohli’s calming presence, stating, “Batting with him gives me a lot of confidence.”
Meanwhile, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer admitted his team is struggling to convert good starts and adapt to the slower home pitches. “Some of our middle-order batsmen need to step up,” he said. “We’ve got six days off now — it’s time to regroup.”
RCB will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming home matches, while Punjab Kings face a crucial phase as they search for consistency.
🔴 Virat Kohli Credits Padikkal After Match-Winning Knock: “He Deserved the Award”
Top Highlights: RCB vs PBKS
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🏏 Virat Kohli scores unbeaten 73 (54) to anchor RCB’s successful chase of 158
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🤝 103-run partnership between Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal (61) seals the win
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🏆 RCB’s 5th straight away win, moving them to 3rd place on the points table
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🗣️ Kohli credits Padikkal, says “This award should go to him, not me.”
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📈 Kohli crosses 8,300 IPL runs, with 322 runs in 8 games this season
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🧠 RCB praised for auction strategy and improved team balance
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📉 PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer admits failure to capitalize on strong starts
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🏟️ Slow home pitch continues to trouble PBKS batting lineup
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🔄 PBKS to reassess during a 6-day break ahead of their next match
🔴 Virat Kohli Credits Padikkal After Match-Winning Knock: “He Deserved the Award”
