In a thrilling encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, March 28, 2025, Virat Kohli showcased his resilience and skill, proving that he is far from finished in the IPL. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star faced a daunting moment when he was struck on the helmet by a rapid delivery from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Matheesha Pathirana during the 11th over of the match. However, instead of succumbing to the pressure, Kohli responded with remarkable grit, hitting Pathirana for a six and a four in the very next two balls.
The incident unfolded as Pathirana, bowling his second over at an impressive speed of 142 km/h, sent a short ball towards Kohli. The RCB batter attempted a pull shot but misjudged the length, resulting in a direct hit to his helmet. Pathirana quickly checked on Kohli's well-being, to which the former captain responded with a thumbs-up, signaling that he was fine. Following a brief concussion test conducted by the RCB physio, Kohli returned to the action with a vengeance.
In a display of his batting prowess, Kohli pulled the next delivery over fine leg for a six and followed it up with a deft whip over mid-wicket for four runs. This impressive counterattack not only demonstrated Kohli's skill but also reminded fans of his enduring talent in the high-stakes environment of the IPL.
This display of determination came just days after Kohli engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shahrukh Khan during the IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony held at Eden Gardens on March 22. Khan posed a question to Kohli about the future of the IPL and whether the 'generation gold' would continue to shine amidst the rising talents of the 'generation bold'. Kohli's response was clear and confident: "The bold generation is coming up very strongly, but the old generation is still here, ready to make an impact, still ready to play the game, and hopefully keep creating more memories for all these lovely fans for years to come."
As the match progressed, Kohli's innings came to an end after scoring 31 runs off 30 balls, including two fours and one six. He was eventually caught by Rachin Ravindra off Noor Ahmad’s bowling on the second ball of the 13th over. Despite not converting his start into a big score, Kohli's contributions were significant, as he added 45 runs for the first wicket with Phil Salt, who scored 32 runs, and built partnerships of 31 runs with Devdutt Padikkal (27) and 41 runs with captain Rajat Patidar.
In addition to his impressive performance on the day, Kohli also etched his name in the record books by surpassing Shikhar Dhawan's record of 1057 runs to become the leading run-scorer in IPL history against CSK. With a total of 1084 runs in 34 matches against the Men in Yellow, Kohli's legacy continues to grow, solidifying his status as one of the league's all-time greats.
As the match against CSK unfolds, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what Kohli will do next. His ability to bounce back from adversity and deliver in crucial moments is a testament to his character and skill as a player. With the IPL season heating up, Kohli’s performance serves as a reminder of the thrilling narratives that unfold in this prestigious tournament.
As the RCB look to capitalize on their strong start, the focus will undoubtedly remain on Kohli and his contributions to the team. His leadership and experience could prove pivotal as the tournament progresses, and fans are hopeful for more memorable moments from the batting superstar.
Stay tuned for further updates on the match as RCB and CSK continue to battle it out in this exciting IPL 2025 season.
