Virat Kohli & RCB Break Several Records As They Defeated LSG & Qualified For First Playoff

Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a sensational win in their final league game of the IPL 2025, chasing down a massive target of 228 against Lucknow Super Giants to secure second place in the standings and qualify for the first playoff. The chase, completed with eight balls to spare, marked RCB’s highest ever run chase and the third highest in the IPL history. It was a must-win match for the Bengaluru side to seal a top-two finish and their victory now sets them up for a qualifier clash against table-toppers Punjab Kings.

Virat Kohli laid the foundation with a quick-fire 54 from just 30 balls, hitting ten boundaries in a typically composed yet aggressive display. He reached a new career milestone during this innings by becoming the first cricketer in the world to score 9,000 runs for a single team in T20s, second being Rohit Sharma with 6,060 for Mumbai Indians.

The record, achieved with a boundary off Avesh Khan, is a reflection of his unparalleled loyalty and consistency for RCB, a franchise he has stood by since its inception in 2008. Though he started cautiously, Virat Kohli quickly shifted gears and brought up his 63rd IPL half-century, overtaking David Warner’s previous record of 62 half centuries.

RCB’s run chase was anything but smooth. They lost Phil Salt after a strong start and the innings wobbled with quick dismissals of Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone, both falling to New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke in the same over. At 90 for 3, and then 123 for 4 after Kohli’s unexpected dismissal, the pressure mounted. But stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma stepped up when it mattered the most. With Mayank Agarwal providing steady support at the other end, Jitesh Sharma unleashed a ferocious assault. His unbeaten 85 from just 33 deliveries included eight boundaries and six towering sixes. One of his most decisive moments came with 28 runs needed off 18 balls — he took 21 off Will O’Rourke in a single over, turning the match decisively in RCB’s favor.

The match ended in style, with Jitesh Sharma smashing a six off Ayush Badoni to complete a 107-run unbeaten partnership with Mayank Agarwal who remained not out on 41. This stunning performance not only helped RCB leap to second in the table with 19 points but also knocked Lucknow out of playoff contention and pushed Gujarat Titans into the eliminator slot, where they will face Mumbai Indians.

Virat Kohli’s achievements continue to shape the narrative of the IPL 2025. He remains RCB’s highest scorer this season and a frontrunner in the Orange Cap race. His commitment to the franchise goes beyond statistics. Time and again, he has reiterated his emotional bond with RCB, emphasising that the loyalty, respect and love from fans mean more to him than any trophy. His legacy is not just in the numbers but also in the impact he has had on the team’s identity.

As RCB gears up for the playoffs, led by Virat Kohli’s form and Jitesh Sharma’s rise, they carry momentum, confidence and belief — qualities that every title-chasing team needs. With match-winners in their ranks and history behind them, Bengaluru looks set to make a serious bid for the IPL 2025 crown.

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