Image: Virat Kohli guided RCB to a six-wicket win, showcasing his anchoring mastery / © India Today
T20 Cricket has transformed at such a fast pace that the role of players who have been anchors and love to take singles and doubles has almost vanished. But when the pitch is tough, there is a collapse, and the target demands sensible batting, this is where players such as Virat Kohli are still the GOAT of the game. With a sensible batting display, taking up singles and doubles, keeping the required run rate in check, and giving confidence to the other end batter, this is what Virat Kohli has been doing for the Indian team and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the years. Just like this, the same thing was done by him in the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals.
In the IPL 2025, when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) found themselves in a tight spot against Delhi Capitals (DC), Virat Kohli once again proved why he is one of the best players in the format, even when others are opting for high-risk power hitting. On a tricky pitch at Wankhede Stadium, where most batters struggled, Kohli anchored the innings, ensuring that the run chase was under control.
RCB was reduced to 26 for 3 in just four overs, with a daunting target of 163 in front of them. This was a point where many teams would have crumbled under the pressure. However, Kohli’s presence at the crease provided the stability that the team needed. He scored a valuable 51 runs off 47 balls, guiding RCB through the tough phase. His knock included only four boundaries, but more importantly, it featured a solid foundation of singles and doubles, which allowed the team to keep up with the required run rate without taking unnecessary risks.
One of the key moments of the innings came during his 119-run partnership with Krunal Pandya. While Pandya took charge at the other end with an aggressive knock of 73 off 47 balls, Kohli’s ability to assess the conditions and his calm approach were pivotal. He wasn’t in a rush to hit big shots but instead ensured that the team maintained the momentum, rotating strike, and playing according to the pitch conditions. Even after the match, Virat Kohli said that:
(On how he approaches chases) I look at the total on the board, the conditions, the bowlers who are due to bowl, who are the bowlers who are going to be hard to get away. I try and make sure my singles and doubles don’t stop and then you keep getting the odd boundary in between, so the game doesn’t get stagnant. That’s always been my focus, keep working on rotating the strike. People are forgetting the importance of partnerships or going deep into the innings in T20s and this year your’e seeing that you can’t just come out and tee off from ball one. You need to have professionalism to read the situation and try and get into a position where you can start dominating the bowlers. It won’t come easy on a slow pitch if you don’t know how to rotate the strike. So that’s pretty much my method.
Kohli’s ability to anchor the innings under pressure shows why he is still among the top in the game, and his role as the anchor was a major factor in RCB’s six-wicket win over DC, with nine balls to spare. It’s this blend of calculated batting and leadership under pressure that continues to make him an indispensable asset for both RCB and India.
Even after retiring from the T20 format, the way Virat Kohli has been the backbone of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025 is nothing short of remarkable. Currently, at the top of the Orange Cap race, Kohli has been in scintillating form, playing crucial roles in run chases for his team. His ability to anchor innings and build partnerships has been a standout feature of his performances this season. Kohli has now scored three consecutive half-centuries, showcasing his consistency and composure under pressure.
In the 10 matches played so far, Kohli has accumulated 443 runs at an impressive average of 63.28, with a strike rate of 138.87. His highest score stands at 73*, demonstrating his capacity to anchor the innings and guide the team to victory. The contributions he has made with the bat have been pivotal in RCB’s rise to the top of the points table, where they currently sit with 14 points from 10 matches, with seven wins and only three losses.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 50s | 0s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 10 | 10 | 3 | 443 | 73* | 63.28 | 319 | 138.87 | 6 | – | 39 | 13 |
| SA Yadav (MI) | 10 | 10 | 3 | 427 | 68* | 61.00 | 252 | 169.44 | 3 | – | 42 | 23 |
| B Sai Sudharsan (GT) | 8 | 8 | – | 417 | 82* | 52.12 | 274 | 152.18 | 5 | – | 42 | 15 |
| Nicholas Pooran (LSG) | 10 | 10 | 1 | 404 | 87* | 44.88 | 199 | 203.01 | 4 | – | 33 | 34 |
| Mitchell Marsh (LSG) | 9 | – | 378 | 81 | 42.00 | 238 | 158.82 | 4 | 1 | 36 | 20 |
RCB’s journey this season has been nothing short of impressive as they have managed to win away matches in tough conditions, including in Mumbai, Rajasthan, Chennai, Punjab, Kolkata, and now Delhi. These victories reflect the team’s growing strength, and Kohli’s form is crucial for their IPL 2025 title aspirations. As RCB continues to chase its first-ever IPL title, Kohli’s batting form will remain a critical factor. His ability to steady the ship during challenging run chases provides the team with the much-needed stability in pressure situations.