Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in their first home match of IPL 2025, star batter Virat Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai domestic airport. The loss was a setback for RCB, who failed to defend their total, allowing GT to secure a comfortable victory.
Virat Kohli Spotted at Airport
As RCB looks to bounce back and regain momentum in the tournament, their star batter Virat Kohli was spotted at Mumbai domestic airport, heading to Wankhede for preparations ahead of the crucial fixture. With MI boasting a formidable lineup, this match will be a major test for RCB as they aim to turn their campaign around.
Virat Kohli snapped at Mumbai Airport ✈️🖤 pic.twitter.com/xSAhiPb5pE
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) April 3, 2025
Mohammed Siraj Haunts His Former Team
Former RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj turned the game around, dismissing Phil Salt and Devdutt Padikkal early, putting RCB on the back foot. His spell (3/19) was a masterclass in precision and aggression, proving that he still has what it takes to dominate on Bengaluru’s pitch—albeit for a different team this time.
Despite glimpses of resistance from Liam Livingstone (who scored a fighting half-century), the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Even the likes of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar couldn’t step up when needed, leaving RCB struggling to reach 169/8.
Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan Shine in Chase
Despite an early setback in the chase, Jos Buttler (73* off 39) and Sai Sudharsan (49) took control, ensuring Gujarat never felt pressure. Their calculated aggression kept the required run rate in check, leading to a comfortable win. Josh Hazlewood had an off-day, conceding 43 runs, while Krunal Pandya’s spin failed to contain the runs. Despite tight spells from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal, Gujarat’s batters remained unchallenged.
RCB’s Next Challenge: Mumbai Indians
RCB now faces Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede on April 7. MI, led by Hardik Pandya, have been inconsistent, securing just one win in three matches. However, they are still dangerous, especially at home.
Mumbai Indians’ Strengths and Weaknesses
MI’s biggest concerns are Rohit Sharma’s form (low scores of 0, 8, and 13) and Jasprit Bumrah’s uncertain fitness. However, their young talents, like Ryan Rickelton and Ashwani Kumar, have stepped up when needed.
To recover from their loss, RCB must address their top-order inconsistency and improve their death bowling. Kohli and Patidar need to fire, while their bowlers must find better strategies against MI’s batting lineup.
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