In a season where batting hasn’t always come easy, Virat Kohli has underscored the importance of building innings through partnerships and steady strike rotation. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have successfully chased four times in IPL 2025, with Kohli scoring half-centuries on each occasion. His latest innings came in a challenging chase against Delhi Capitals, where RCB needed 163 to win.
Reflecting on the game, Kohli emphasised the need to “stitch a partnership and take it deep,” which he believes has become crucial in this year’s tournament. He commented, “People, I think, are forgetting the importance of stitching in a partnership or going deep into the innings in T20 cricket. You can’t just come out and tee off from ball one.”
Kohli detailed his method: “I try and make sure that my singles and doubles don’t stop, and then you keep getting the odd boundary in between. The game never gets stagnant. You need to have professionalism, to read the situation and try and get into a position where you can start dominating the bowlers.”
Sunday’s match against Delhi Capitals tested Kohli’s approach. When RCB found themselves at 26 for 3 after four overs, Kohli played a supporting role to Krunal Pandya during their 119-run partnership on a challenging pitch. While Krunal picked up the pace from a shaky start of 17 off 21 to an impressive 73 off 47, Kohli managed 51 off 47 before falling to Dushmantha Chameera.
Kohli shared his strategy during such scenarios: “Whenever there’s a chase on… I keep checking with the dugout whether we are on course, what is my role, what is the kind of innings I need to play.” Their partnership was pivotal in stabilising the innings, leading to a significant win.
With 245 runs in four successful chases, Kohli currently tops the season’s run charts with 443 runs from 10 matches. His approach has proven effective, particularly in scenarios demanding cautious and strategic play. As the campaign progresses, Kohli’s methodical yet adaptable style shows the depth of thought required in modern T20 cricket.
