Royal Challengers Bengaluru were handed a modest target of 102 runs in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, following a dominant bowling performance that dismantled Punjab Kings at Mullanpur.
With three wickets apiece from Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, RCB left the home side reeling and set the stage for a straightforward chase. Virat Kohli, opening the innings, stamped his authority early by smashing a boundary off the very first ball he faced, signaling RCB’s intent and deflating Punjab’s slim hopes.
Despite the high-stakes nature of the match, Kohli found a moment to inject some humor into the contest. On the fifth ball of the second over, he struck a crisp cover drive, only to see Marcus Stoinis dive to his right and cut it off.
Stoinis immediately got up and raised his hand in a mock-threat to throw the ball, trying to catch Kohli off-guard. But Kohli, unfazed and not attempting a run, coolly gestured back at Stoinis, essentially daring him to go ahead.
The brilliance of the moment lay in Kohli’s quick judgment. He had already noticed the absence of any fielders at fine leg, either inside the circle or in the deep. Had Stoinis thrown the ball, it likely would’ve resulted in overthrows, giving RCB extra runs for free. Kohli’s awareness of the field placement and game situation was a classic example of his cricketing intelligence and on-field composure.
Stoinis, realizing the futility of a throw and perhaps impressed by Kohli’s wit, broke into a sheepish laugh. His reaction lightened the mood, and a few chuckles followed from his teammates as well. It was a brief but refreshing exchange that showed mutual respect and camaraderie, even in a high-pressure knockout match.
— Birdman (@kingbirdman22) May 29, 2025
This lighthearted incident didn’t distract RCB from their mission, as they chased down the target with ease to secure a place in the IPL 2025 final. While Kohli’s boundary-hitting and strategic play stood out, his banter with Stoinis reminded fans that cricket is as much about spirit and personality as it is about skill.