The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting superstar Virat Kohli was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics in the 37th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Virat Kohli, however, said that he was undeserving of the award and one of his teammates should have been named the Player of the Match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Sunday, April 20.
Virat Kohli creates history against Punjab Kings
Kohli batted brilliantly in the match against PBKS and slammed a match-winning half-century. Despite losing his opening partner Phil Salt in the first over, Kohli kept batting with focus and remained unbeaten till the very end.
The right-handed batter finished his innings with the score of 73* runs off 54 balls, with 7 fours and 1 six, and the run-chase was completed in the 19th over.
Kohli created history with his performance against Punjab Kings as he hit his 67th 50-plus score in IPL, breaking David Warner’s all-time record of 66 50-plus scores. Also, Kohli bagged his 19th Player of the Match award, which is the joint-most by an Indian in IPL history alongside Rohit Sharma.
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Virat Kohli said that they have played amazing cricket away from home and their mindset is to get 2 points in every match. He said:
“Very important game for us. 2 points can make a massive difference in terms of qualification. We have played some amazing cricket away from home. When you go from eight to ten (points), it makes a massive difference in the points table. The mindset has to be to get 2 points in every game.”
I thought Dev made a difference today, this award should go to him – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli expressed his surprise at being named the Player of the Match, saying that Devdutt Padikkal was the deserving candidate for the award. He stated:
“I wanted to accelerate more. I thought Dev made a difference today, this award should go to him, I don’t know why they have given it to me. I try to stay there, holding one end up and try to accelerate later. There always is a temptation to keep going in the same way.”
While talking about RCB’s loss at home against PBKS, Virat Kohli said that they went a little too hard due to the shortened game. He elaborated:
“Last game was a shortened game, so we had to go hard (against PBKS.) We had to analyse the pitch in Rajasthan. One partnership is good enough in T20 cricket during run chase. I can accelerate, but I want to understand the strengths of other players. Holding one end up at the moment, that’s working for us.”
When you play like that, your chances of winning are better – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli signed off by saying that they built a great squad at the auction, and the players are very hungry, which makes the chances of winning better. He stated:
“It was a very good auction for us, we got a good team. These guys were composed (after the auction.) Guys like David, Jitesh, Patidar, the roles they are playing. It’s coming off nicely.
“Also Romario coming in for us today. Livingstone’s also there. That was missing over the last seasons. Guys can keep counter-attacking, the guys are hungry. You can see that intensity on the field as they are diving around. That is really pleasing to see. When you play like that, your chances of winning are better.”