Former India pacer Varun Aaron believes star Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli will not only bring his A-game with the bat, but will also engage in a battle with an opposing player or bowler in the upcoming exciting IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3.
Since the league’s inception in 2008, both RCB and PBKS have competed but have yet to win the championship. Tuesday’s game will determine which of the two franchises will finally end their trophy drought and make their mark in history.
Meanwhile, Kohli has had another spectacular season with the bat, scoring 614 runs in 14 matches with an average of 55.81 and a strike rate of 146.53. Notably, he has eight fifties in his career, all of which have resulted in RCB victories. The former bowler commented on the batter’s mindset heading into the summit showdown.
“Kohli excels at picking battles. The way he zones in and cues in, especially in important games, is that he simply selects a battle and becomes absolutely focused and consumed by it, and that is exactly what Virat Kohli will do tomorrow. He is going to pick a bowler. He’ll go after him,” he warned, as reported by India Today.
Interestingly, PBKS has kept Kohli quiet this season, giving just one half-century in three games. Aaron further noted that this approach helps Kohli stay focused in high-pressure situations. The former bowler believes Kohli takes advantage of such rivalries.
“You’re going to see him come hard on the pitch as well and try to pick a battle with somebody, and he consumes himself in that battle, and that’s how he gets going and that’s how he wins big finals,” according to him.
Josh Hazelwood has been their lucky charm: Varun Aaron
RCB cruised into the IPL 2025 final with a solid performance in Qualifier 1 against PBKS. However, the Shreyas Iyer-led team took the longer route and made a sensational comeback in the Qualifier 2 against the Mumbai Indians.
The pacer also spoke about Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s impact on RCB’s campaign. The pacer, who has never lost a final in his career, has taken 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.80 and an economy of 8.30 this season.
“I mean there’s a lot of symbolism this year for RCB. They won a game at the Chepauk after so long. They have done incredible things this year. And Hazlewood has been their lucky charm—not just a lucky charm, somebody who’s really performed well and he knows what to bring to the finals,” said Aaron
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