IPL 2025: Virat Kohli dedicates `POTM` award to Padikkal

In the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli played another stunning knock.

Facing just 54 balls, the right-hander delivered an unbeaten knock of 73 runs, which was laced with seven boundaries and a maximum. He was named the “Player of the Match” for his contribution to RCB`s win.

Despite playing a match-winning knock, Kohli feels that Devdutt Padikkal deserves the award.

“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 can accelerate, but I want to understand the strengths of other players. Holding one end up at the moment, that`s working for us,” Kohli said during the post-match presentation.

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The duo shared a partnership of 103 runs, which in return helped RCB to register a comfortable win over PBKS by seven wickets.

“We`ve set ourselves up nicely. Dev (Padikkal) can play around me, maybe Rajat (Patidar) can play around me. There`s always a temptation to keep going the same way. We know in a run chase in T20 cricket, one partnership is enough. If need be, I can accelerate,” the 36-year-old said.

The win against PBKS also helped RCB go up to third place on the IPL 2025 points table.

“It was a very important game for us. When you go from 8 (points) to 10, it makes a massive difference. We have played some amazing cricket away from home. The mindset has to be to get 2 points in every game,” said Kohli.

The 36-year-old said the IPL auction for this season had given the side a lot of balance, which was translating into good performance.

“A very good auction for us. We got the team we wanted. They (franchise owners) knew exactly whom they wanted. It`s coming together nicely. That was missing in all the other seasons. You can see that intensity and feistiness,” Kohli, who was the RCB captain for several years, said.

(With PTI Inputs)