In the exciting IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar was critical of the umpires for not addressing a risky running play by Virat Kohli. This happened in the 12th over while RCB was batting, when Kohli dashed down the pitch after hitting a ball from Yuzvendra Chahal to complete a quick double. Gavaskar, who was commentating, wondered why Kohli wasn’t warned, saying this kind of running could ruin the pitch for the next innings.
PBKS chose to bowl first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, making it tough for RCB to score freely. Kohli tried to keep the runs coming with quick singles and twos. In the 12th over, after hitting a ball past long-on, he called for a second run. His partner, Liam Livingstone, made it in safely with a dive. But Gavaskar pointed out that Kohli’s straight run down the pitch isn’t usually allowed because it could damage the surface. He remarked, “Kohli is a swift runner. He knew as soon as he hit the ball it was two. No umpire will stop him, but it’s not the right way to run.”
Despite the umpires not stepping in, this incident sparked a discussion about whether star players sometimes evade scrutiny. On top of that, Kohli’s batting style raised some eyebrows. Known for his high strike rate this season—around 150—he took a more cautious approach in the final. Instead of aiming for big hits, he focused on rotating the strike for players like Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar.
Former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden, part of the English commentary team, questioned Kohli’s strategy, saying, “200 is just a par score here,” implying Kohli should have been more aggressive. Kohli was eventually out in the 15th over, scoring 43 off 35 balls. During the first strategic time-out, RCB coaches Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik were seen discussing with Kohli, likely encouraging him to boost the scoring rate.
PBKS, captained by Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and decided to bowl first. Both teams kept the same lineup for the final.
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