IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) thrashed Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in the Qualifier 1 in New Chandigarh to secure a spot in the IPL 2025 final.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Bengaluru-based side dominated the match from start to finish against the Punjab Kings, the table toppers of this season.
© X/IPL
On a pitch that offered assistance to the fast bowlers upfront and later on to the spinners, RCB bowlers caused mayhem, bowling them out for 101 in 14.1 overs. Josh Hazlewood and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma did the maximum damage, picking up three wickets apiece.
After a brilliant performance by the bowlers, RCB batters chased down the target in just 60 balls and marched into their fourth IPL final and first since 2016.
Besides RCB’s clinical performance, arguably the best of this season, one incident involving RCB superstar Virat Kohli caught everyone’s attention.
© X/IPL
The incident occurred during Punjab Kings’ batting innings when the franchise, after being reduced to 60 for 6 in 8.2 overs, sent in 20-year-old Musheer Khan as their impact substitution in the match.
The move shocked many, as the youngster warmed the bench throughout the season and was sent in for his IPL debut in an extreme crisis.
However, it was Kohli’s animated gesture from the slips cordon that became a huge talking point on the internet, with many blasting the veteran cricketer for belittling a youngster.
Full video 📷 pic.twitter.com/enyg5WSWwR
— Irfan isak shaikh (@irfan_speak786) May 29, 2025
In a viral clip, Kohli can be seen pointing towards one of his teammates and making a gesture using his right hand. Many people on the internet felt Kohli was making fun of the youngster, saying, “Yeh to paani pilata hai (This guy carries drinks).”
Shameful
— @Akshay_Kumar (@Akshay_kumar69) May 30, 2025
One of many samples to prove why Kohli is a joker and shame
— Heisenberg (@itissthatiss) May 30, 2025
"Pani Pilata Hai..." Virat Kohli making fun of 20 year old #PunjabKings player #Musheerkhan
This looks really saddening when a 20 year old is on the field batting against #RCB and being a legend for many; you make fun of him by saying "ye pani pilata h ". #shamelessViratKohli pic.twitter.com/xJe5gwQsM9— Swastika Sruti (@SrutiSwastika) May 29, 2025
Kohli saying "Ye to Pani pilata hai" to young Musheer Khan. Kohli is such a creep and shameless person. pic.twitter.com/Zs2GGDUGBN
— RISHIT SHARMA (@Rishit_264) May 29, 2025
Some even came to Kohli’s defence, arguing that the RCB’s seniormost player was only referring to what had transpired earlier in the game. Musheer had brought drinks to the ground for his teammates earlier in the inning, and Kohli’s gesture was only for that, not to belittle a young batter.
बिना मतलब का हेट मत फैलाओ सिर्फ रीच के लिए। मुशीर खान उसी समय पंजाब किंग्स के लिए पानी ले के आये थे। इसलिए विराट शॉक्ड थे कि अभी तो ये पानी पिलाने आया था, और अब बैटिंग के लिए आ गया।..#ViratKohli𓃵 #ViratKohli #IPLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jjV6fv9d8y
— Cricinfoledge (@cricinfoledge) May 30, 2025
BRO he said, "Ye abhi paani pilaa ke gya tha aur ab batting krne aa gya".
— 𝘈𝘶𝘮 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘬 (@aumpratik) May 29, 2025
As he was surprised to see him batting, considering that just a few hours earlier, Musheer had been serving water to the PBKS batters.
STOP SPREADING HATE.
I deleted my previous tweet on Musheer & Virat incident coz I misinterpreted and fell for twitter agenda from Virat's haters.
Virat was no way demeaning Musheer Khan but he was saying, "Ye abhi paani pilaa ke gya tha aur ab batting krne aa gya" as he was surprised to see him bat… pic.twitter.com/KYdTJmE54G— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 29, 2025
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, despite this defeat, will have another chance to secure a place in the final as they face the winner of the Eliminator game between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians on June 1.
