Bengaluru: In a thrilling match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star batsman Virat Kohli performed brilliantly at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, scoring 70 runs in 42 balls. This innings helped RCB to put up a strong score of 205/5 against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Kohli’s innings included eight fours and two sixes, which marked his fifth half-century in nine matches and took the total runs to 392. He is now second in the Orange Cap race.

Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag won the toss and chose to bowl first, but Kohli, along with opener Phil Salt (26 runs, 23 balls), gave RCB an explosive start by adding 59 runs in the powerplay. Both shared a 50-run partnership in 4.4 overs, but Salt was soon dismissed. After this, Devdutt Padikkal made a solid partnership of 95 runs with Kohli. Padikkal scored 50 runs (four fours, three sixes) in 27 balls, but Kohli was dismissed by Jofra Archer in the 15.1st over. With the early dismissal of Padikkal and captain Rajat Patidar (1 run), RCB were reduced to 163/4 in 16.5 overs.

In the final overs, Tim David (23 runs, 15 balls) and Jitesh Sharma (20 not out, 10 balls, four fours) batted brilliantly to take the score past 200. Sandeep Sharma bowled the best for Rajasthan with figures of 2/45, while Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga got one wicket each. Kohli said after the match, “This innings was special for me, but the victory of the team is most important now.” Rajasthan will need to chase 206 runs for their third win, which will be a tough challenge for their batsmen.