Did Virat Kohli Fake an Injury for Misfield against Gujarat Titans to Avoid Criticism?

For the fans of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Indian Cricket Team, a major heart-stopping moment came in the 5th ball of the 12th over when they saw Virat Kohli in pain after sustaining a finger injury. During RCB’s IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli misfielded a powerful shot from Sai Sudharsan near the boundary. The ball, traveling at great speed, slipped through his fingers and raced to the boundary. As Kohli fell to the ground in visible discomfort, RCB supporters in the stadium and across the country were left in shock.

Physios rushed to his aid, treating the injury as Kohli winced in pain. However, the determined cricketer, known for his fighting spirit, chose to stay on the field. This incident drew parallels with his 2016 injury when he hurt his thumb but continued to play, scoring a remarkable century. Unfortunately, Kohli’s day only got worse as he struggled with the bat, managing just seven runs off six balls before being dismissed by left-arm pacer Arshad Khan. Attempting a pick-up pull, he mistimed the shot and was caught by Prasidh Krishna.

Despite Kohli’s early exit, RCB managed to post a competitive 169/8, courtesy of Liam Livingstone’s 54 and Tim David’s unbeaten 32. However, Gujarat Titans chased down the target comfortably with 13 balls to spare, thanks to Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 73. While it was a forgettable match for Kohli and RCB, fans will be hoping their star batter recovers quickly and regains form in the upcoming games.

Kohli Criticized for Overacting as Fans Recall His Heroic Knock with 9 Stitches

After being hit on the hand while fielding, Virat Kohli immediately went down in pain, unable to stop the ball from reaching the boundary. Gujarat Titans gained four runs, while Kohli was seen reacting in discomfort as the impact seemed severe. The team’s medical staff rushed onto the field with sprays and other treatments to provide immediate attention. After some time, Kohli was back on his feet and continued playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As soon as the incident happened, fans took to social media with mixed reactions.

Many expressed their concern, relieved that the injury wasn’t serious. Others, however, accused Kohli of exaggerating the situation. Some critics claimed that he was overreacting to gain attention, sparking debates among fans. Some even trolled him, questioning how a player who claims to be the fittest could be seen reacting so much to an injury.

Amid the criticism, many fans were quick to remind others of Kohli’s resilience in the past. They recalled his 2016 IPL innings against Punjab Kings when he played despite having nine stitches on his hand. During that season, Kohli suffered a split webbing injury against Kolkata Knight Riders, which required medical attention. Despite the pain, he returned to the field just 48 hours later to face Punjab Kings in a rain-shortened match.

In that game, Kohli showcased remarkable determination, smashing a century off just 47 balls, which is his fastest IPL hundred. His innings helped RCB post a total of 211/3 in a 15-over contest. During his celebration, he pointed at the stitches on his hand, highlighting the pain he played through and told the fans not to question his toughness and dedication towards the game.

Fans used this moment as a response to those questioning his toughness, emphasizing how he had previously performed under difficult circumstances. As discussions continued, Kohli’s past performances were brought up in comparison to the current situation, with contrasting opinions emerging on whether his reaction to the injury was justified or exaggerated.