The guys are hungry – Virat Kohli on team’s mindset after RCB’s win against PBKS

Virat Kohli leapfrogged Jos Buttler to enter the top four positions on the list of the highest run-scorers of IPL 2025 with another match-winning knock of 73 from just 54 balls.

In a tricky chase of 158 at Mullanpur, he kept his calm while Devdutt Padikkal hacked away at the bowlers in the 103-runs stand for the second wicket. In his knock, Virat smashed seven fours and a six to spearhead RCB’s charge against PBKS.

Kohli won the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten knock and talking at the post-match presentation, the former RCB skipper talked about the importance of these two points and how it might play a massive role in shaping up the mindset for the remainder of the tournament.

He also mentioned that the Player of the Match award should have gone to Devdutt Padikkal while humbly accepting the honour.

Talking about the points table, Kohli said, “Very important game for us. 2 points can make a massive difference in terms of qualification. We have played some amazing cricket away from home. When you go from eight to ten (points), it makes a massive difference in the points table. The mindset has to be to get 2 points in every game.”

Adding further on his intentions, Virat said, “I wanted to accelerate more. 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 try to stay there, holding one end up and try to accelerate later. There always is a temptation to keep going in the same way.”

Underlining the balance of the team, Kohli added, “Last game was a shortened game, so we had to go hard (against PBKS.) We had to analyse the pitch in Rajasthan. One partnership is good enough in T20 cricket during run chases. 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. It was a very good auction for us, we got a good team. These guys were composed (after the auction.)”

He concluded by stating, “Guys like David, Jitesh, Patidar, the roles they are playing. It's coming off nicely. Also, Romario coming in for us today. Livingstone's also there. That was missing over the last seasons. Guys can keep counter-attacking, the guys are hungry. You can see that intensity on the field as they are diving around. That is really pleasing to see. When you play like that, your chances of winning are better.”