[WATCH] IPL 2025: Virat Kohli celebrates passionately towards Shreyas Iyer after RCB beat PBKS

On April 20, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a margin of seven wickets in Mullanpur. Virat Kohli’s impassioned response to PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, however, immediately garnered attention after Jitesh Sharma hit a game-winning six.

The Bengaluru team was keen to get back on their feet and exact retribution less than 48 hours after RCB’s heartbreaking home loss to PBKS. Additionally, following Jitesh’s six off Nehal Wadhera, Kohli turned to face Iyer and reacted animatedly, demonstrating the magnitude of this triumph given their defeat two nights prior. Iyer, meanwhile, nodded and grinned, unfazed by Kohli’s flaming performance. Soon after, the two players gave each other a big hug.

Virat Kohli teasing Shreyas Iyer 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/oVTJqlx2p7

— • (@LoftedOffDrive) April 20, 2025

In their 20 overs, PBKS had previously scored 157/6, but the RCB bowlers had held them to a poor total. In yet another display of his genius, Kohli constructed the chase for the RCB.

Virat Kohli solidified the innings and kept RCB on course with an undefeated 73 runs off 54 balls.

RCB won with seven balls remaining after Devdutt Padikkal made a contribution with a 61 off 35 balls. In the meantime, Kohli received the Player of the Match honour for his valiant efforts. More than any other batter, this was his 67th IPL fifty.

Iyer, the PBKS captain, thought back on the match. After a brief pause between today’s game and the next one, he emphasised the team’s shortcomings and the need to bounce back.

His body is fine; it’s only a slight ache. It ought to be alright following this game. The vast majority of batsmen enjoy going from ball one, if you observe them. The starts we are receiving are not being capitalised on. Slowly, the wicket is slowing down. We were confident that we could defeat the bowlers even in the middle stages. The boys and Virat deserve praise. Adapting to the wicket is something we continuously discussing.

A few of the other middle-order batsmen must take the initiative and take charge. I’m feeling so good. I only have to get over ten runs. I simply have to be free-flowing too. Given that we have six days off, it is imperative that we start over. “We must evaluate our bodies as well,” Iyer stated following the game.