Virat Kohli on stump mic: ‘Ab India ke liye thode hi khelna hai’

Virat Kohli appeared relaxed and in high spirits at the crease, enjoying the occasion as he steadily took the game away from KKR.

Updated on: May 15, 2026, 06:25:41 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli returned to form in style against Kolkata Knight Riders, reminding everyone why he remains one of the finest chasers in the game after bouncing back from consecutive ducks. He responded in emphatic fashion with a magnificent century in a crucial run chase, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to an important victory. Kohli looked completely in control throughout the innings, timing the ball beautifully and handling the pressure with ease. Despite being fully focused on the chase, the former RCB captain also appeared relaxed and in high spirits at the crease, enjoying the occasion as he steadily took the game away from KKR with another trademark knock under pressure.

Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century against KKR. (ANI Pic Service)

Kohli looked determined from the moment he walked out to bat against KKR, even celebrating the very first run he scored after enduring back-to-back ducks in his previous two outings. Once he settled at the crease, the RCB star appeared completely at ease and enjoyed himself in the middle during the chase.

He also shared a light-hearted exchange with former teammate Manish Pandey, with whom he has played a lot of cricket, from Under-19 cricket to the senior level for India. A video from the match has since gone viral on social media, with the stump mic catching Kohli joking about attempting a scoop shot.

“Mai maarunga yeh, Ab India ke liye thodi he khelna hai, ab toh harr shot lagega,” Kohli was heard telling Pandey during the innings.

Also Read - Spiritual Virat Kohli doesn't chase accolades anymore; it's his honesty to his craft that keeps him going

Virat Kohli continues to dominate in IPL

Kohli may have retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup triumph in 2024, but his dominance in the format remains as strong as ever. The batting great continues to lead from the front in the IPL, where he finally lifted his maiden title last season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This year too, he has been central to RCB’s impressive campaign, with the franchise sitting at the top of the points table for most of the season. The former captain has once again been their leading run-scorer, underlining his consistency and hunger even after stepping away from international T20 cricket.

Meanwhile, Kohli remained unbeaten on 105 off 60 deliveries, striking 11 fours and three sixes as he guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru through a demanding chase against Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB chased down 193 with six balls to spare, finishing on 194/4 in 19.1 overs after KKR had posted 192/4.

The century marked Kohli’s ninth IPL hundred and his first since the 2023 season. During the innings, he also moved past MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to become the player with the most appearances in IPL history, featuring in his 279th match. Kohli also added another landmark to his remarkable career by becoming the first Indian batter to complete 14,000 runs in T20 cricket.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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