A fiery moment between Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and KL Rahul became the highlight of the IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. The on-field exchange, captured live and now trending across social media platforms, added extra spice to an already intense encounter as the playoff race tightens.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul exchange words at the Arun Jaitley Stadium
The incident took place during the RCB’s run chase. With Kohli at the crease and Rahul standing behind the stumps, tensions flared when Kohli appeared visibly frustrated by the Capitals’ field tactics, particularly the extended time taken between deliveries and frequent field changes. The situation escalated when DC players attempted to reposition during a free-hit delivery, drawing a warning from the umpires over the slow over-rate.
Witnesses noted a delay before Kohli could resume his batting stance, with Rahul engaged in a prolonged discussion with bowler Vipraj Nigam. During this time, Kohli and Rahul exchanged sharp words, with Kohli voicing concerns over the disruption in batting momentum. Commentating on the incident, former India spinner Piyush Chawla explained that Kohli’s frustration was mainly triggered by DC’s slow field adjustments, which interrupted the natural flow of play. Rahul, on his part, reportedly reminded Kohli that any time-wasting could lead to penalties against DC.
Here’s the video:
Virat Kohli has got a problem with Every Indian Player
Why to show unwanted aggression to KL Rahul.#DCvsRCB pic.twitter.com/hjPQJLd16M— Radha (@Radha4565) April 27, 2025
Despite the brief war of words, both players quickly reset their focus, ensuring that the game progressed without further controversy. However, the fiery exchange showcased the fierce competitive spirit both players bring to the field, especially at such a crucial juncture in IPL 2025.
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Krunal Pandya and Virat Kohli power RCB to victory
The match itself was equally gripping. Put in to bat first, Delhi Capitals posted a competitive total of 162/8, thanks largely to Rahul’s steady 41 and a late flourish from South African hitter Tristan Stubbs. However, RCB’s response was rocky, as they stumbled to 26/3 early on, putting DC in control.
Kohli, demonstrating his class under pressure, anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 47 balls, momentarily reclaiming the Orange Cap as the tournament’s top run-scorer. However, the true hero for RCB was all-rounder Krunal Pandya, whose unbeaten 73 off 47 balls marked his first IPL half-century since 2016. Pandya’s aggressive yet calculated innings shifted momentum firmly towards RCB.
Tim David added the finishing touches, smashing an explosive 19 off just five balls to guide RCB to a six-wicket victory, chasing down the target with 9 balls to spare. With this win, RCB set a new IPL record, becoming the first team to win six consecutive away matches in a single season. The victory also propelled them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, strengthening their position for playoff qualification.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Krunal Pandya, Virat Kohli lead RCB to stunning win against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025
