Image: Kohli playfully trolled Babar Azam, referencing a fan meme during a fun chat with Mr. Nags / © Hindustan Times
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, tensions have flared between Irfan Pathan and Virat Kohli. Irfan was reportedly thrown out of IPL commentary duties after criticizing Kohli’s recent performances. He pointed out that Kohli averaged just 15 in the first innings of 2024 and hasn’t averaged 30 across the last five years, questioning his role as a senior player. Irfan also slammed Kohli’s absence from domestic cricket, suggesting it reflects a “superstar culture” rather than a team-first mindset.
Meanwhile, Kohli responded indirectly with humor on the RCB Insider Show. In a viral clip, he dropped the sarcastic line “Ghante ka peace” in response to a comment on staying peaceful, which fans believe was a sly dig at Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. The phrase echoes a meme mocking Babar’s form. On the field, Kohli is letting the bat do the talking. He has scored 248 runs in 6 matches at an average of 62 with three fifties, currently leading RCB’s charts and ranking fifth overall in the Orange Cap race.