Virat Kohli IPL 2025 Half Century: RCB Star Surpasses Babar Azam’s T20 Record

Virat Kohli IPL 2025 Half Century: Match Highlight

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli registered his first Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century at home during Friday’s clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The impressive knock of 70 runs off just 42 deliveries not only energized the home crowd but also marked a significant milestone in his T20 career. This Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century featured eight boundaries and two sixes, with Kohli maintaining a strike rate of 166.67 throughout his innings.

The Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century came as a welcome relief for RCB fans who had witnessed their star player struggle at home this season. Prior to this match, Kohli had managed just 30 runs in three innings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, making this breakthrough performance all the more significant. His aggressive intent was evident from the start as he targeted the RR bowlers with his trademark precision and timing, demonstrating why he remains one of cricket’s premier batsmen even at this stage of his career.

Historic T20 Record: Surpassing Babar Azam

The Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century against Rajasthan Royals carried historic significance as it propelled him past Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam in a prestigious T20 record. This innings marked Kohli’s 62nd fifty while batting first in T20 cricket, surpassing Babar’s record of 61 such half-centuries. The achievement highlights Kohli’s remarkable consistency when setting targets in the format’s history, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in T20 cricket.

This milestone achieved through the Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century adds another chapter to the storied India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, albeit one being written through individual accomplishments rather than direct confrontation. While Babar Azam has established himself as Pakistan’s premier batsman in recent years, Kohli’s longevity and sustained excellence continue to set benchmarks in world cricket. The record is particularly impressive considering the challenges of batting first in T20s, where batsmen lack the advantage of knowing the target score and must judge par totals based on pitch and conditions.

Home Performance Analysis: Breaking the Chinnaswamy Drought

The significance of this Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century extends beyond numerical records, as it represented a breakthrough in his home performance this season. Prior to this match, Kohli had struggled uncharacteristically at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, managing just 30 runs across three innings. This drought at a venue where he has historically dominated had raised concerns among RCB supporters about their star player’s form in familiar conditions.

The timing of this Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century was crucial for both the player and the team, coming at a stage in the tournament where playoff calculations are beginning to take shape. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its batting-friendly conditions and smaller boundaries, has traditionally been a venue where Kohli thrives. This return to form in front of the home crowd not only boosted team morale but also reinforced Kohli’s ability to overcome temporary setbacks and deliver when his team needs him most.

The Archer Breakthrough: First Dismissal in T20

A notable subplot within the Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century innings was his continued battle with England’s premier fast bowler Jofra Archer. Despite his overall success in the match, Kohli’s dismissal marked a significant moment as it was the first time Archer had claimed his wicket in T20 cricket. Prior to this encounter, Kohli had dominated this particular matchup, scoring 103 runs in 11 innings and 80 balls against Archer at a strike rate of 128.75, including 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Archer’s breakthrough against Kohli came after the batter had already completed his Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century, somewhat diminishing the immediate impact on the match outcome. Nevertheless, this moment represents an important chapter in the ongoing rivalry between two of cricket’s elite performers. Archer, returning from injury issues that had sidelined him in recent years, showed glimpses of the pace and precision that once made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. His overall figures of 1/33 in four overs demonstrated good control on a batting-friendly surface.

Orange Cap Race: Kohli’s Season Performance

The Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century further strengthened his position in the tournament’s Orange Cap race for the leading run-scorer. Following this innings, Kohli climbed to the second position in the standings with an impressive aggregate of 392 runs in nine matches. His batting statistics this season have been remarkable: an average of 65.33, a strike rate of 144.11, and five half-centuries with a highest score of 73 not out.

These numbers surrounding the Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century reflect his exceptional consistency throughout the tournament. While his home form had been a concern, his overall performance has been among the best in IPL 2025. His ability to score at a healthy strike rate while maintaining a high average demonstrates his evolved T20 batting approach. As RCB pushes for a playoff spot, Kohli’s form will be crucial to their chances, with his experience and ability to perform under pressure potentially making the difference in crucial upcoming fixtures.

RCB Innings Summary: Partnerships and Final Score

The Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century served as the backbone of RCB’s impressive total of 205/5 in their allotted 20 overs. After Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first, Kohli formed a solid opening partnership of 61 runs with Phil Salt, who contributed 26 off 23 balls with four boundaries. This foundation proved crucial in setting up a competitive total on the Chinnaswamy pitch.

Following Salt’s dismissal, the Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century innings combined with Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive 50 off just 27 balls (including four boundaries and three sixes) to form a substantial 95-run partnership that accelerated RCB’s scoring rate. Even after Kohli’s dismissal, RCB maintained momentum through useful cameos from Tim David (23* off 15 balls with two fours and a six) and Jitesh Sharma (20* off 10 balls with four boundaries). For Rajasthan Royals, Sandeep Sharma was the most successful bowler with figures of 2/45, while Archer’s economical spell of 1/33 helped contain the damage somewhat.

Virat Kohli’s IPL 2025 Season Analysis

The Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century against Rajasthan Royals fits into a broader pattern of exceptional performance from the RCB stalwart this season. With 392 runs in nine matches, including five half-centuries, Kohli has been the model of consistency in a tournament often characterized by fluctuating player fortunes. His ability to combine consistency with an improved strike rate has addressed previous criticisms about his T20 approach being too conservative at times.

As the tournament progresses toward its crucial playoff phase, the Virat Kohli IPL 2025 half century serves as a timely reminder of his value to RCB’s campaign. His performance at home had been the one missing piece in his season’s portfolio, and this innings helps complete the picture of a batsman in complete command of his powers. For RCB fans, Kohli’s form offers hope that this might be the season they finally secure the elusive IPL trophy that has eluded them since the tournament’s inception, despite coming close on multiple occasions. With Kohli firing on all cylinders, as demonstrated by this half century, RCB’s prospects look considerably brighter in the business end of IPL 2025.