Virat Kohli explodes in celebration as Shreyas Iyer walks again cheaply | Cricket Information

Virat Kohli (Picture credit score: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s ardour was on full show throughout the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 conflict between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur. Kohli, identified for sporting his coronary heart on his sleeve, was seen celebrating animatedly after Josh Hazlewood dismissed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for simply 2 runs off 3 balls.It was an important breakthrough within the early phases of the innings. Hazlewood, introduced into the taking part in XI instead of Nuwan Thushara, made a direct influence. Bowling a tough size simply exterior off, Hazlewood extracted additional bounce off the deck. Iyer, making an attempt to pressure a slog over the leg facet, misjudged the size and solely managed to edge it by to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who took a pointy catch. PBKS had been reeling at that time, having misplaced three fast wickets in succession.Kohli, fielding close by, erupted right into a wild celebration. With clenched fists, intense roars, and an animated response directed towards the RCB dugout and the group, Kohli’s vitality lit up the stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar received the toss and elected to bowl first in opposition to Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. RCB made one change to their taking part in XI, bringing in Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood instead of Nuwan Thushara.

“We’ll bowl first. The wicket seems very arduous with an honest grass cowl, and we’ll attempt to take advantage of the primary few overs. Everybody gave greater than 100% within the final recreation — Jitesh, Salt, and Kohli had been super. One change for us: Hazlewood is available in for Thushara,” stated Patidar on the toss.Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer additionally made a single change, with Azmatullah Omarzai coming in for Marco Jansen.“We’d have bowled first as properly. Trying on the report right here, groups batting first have executed properly, so I’m optimistic. The group has been super — you want that form of vitality once you stroll onto the sphere. The way in which our openers have proven a fearless method has been sensible. Marco goes out and Azmatullah is available in,” Iyer stated.Taking part in XIs:Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle JamiesonRoyal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma