With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli's energy levels sky high during the IPL 2025 qualifier 1 against the Punjab Kings on Thursday, ex-Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu hailed him for the same. Sidhu described Kohli as the guiding light of the team, making even captain Rajat Patidar to listen to him.
The 36-year-old displayed high energy levels amid the a raucous crowd in Mullanpur during the Qualifier 1 clash. He was also animated throughout the innings in setting fields. After electing to bowl first, Rajat Patidar and co. came out firing on all cylinders, dismissing four Punjab Kings' batters inside the powerplay. Only three Punjab Kings' batters managed to reach double figures as Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma took three wickets each to bowl out the opposition out for 101 in 14.1 overs.
Speaking on air, Sidhu said:
"Yeh Prakash graha hai, guru. Yeh disha dene waala hai, aur hidaayat dene waala bhi hai. Aur kyunki kad itna bada hai, bargad ke neeche bahut kam hoti hai. Isliye Patidar bhi sunta hai, baaki sab bhi sunte hain."
(He gives directions and guidance. His stature is also so big that Rajat Patidar and others listen to him.)
"One day of non-practice won't harm you" - Rajat Patidar
At the post-match presentation, RCB captain Rajat Patidar credited Suyash Sharma and Phil Salt the most for taking three wickets and belting an unbeaten 56, respectively.
"We were very clear in our plans and how we have to bowl. Fast bowlers used the surface well, Suyash chipped in well. He bowls in line of the stumps, which is his strength. I don't give him a lot of ideas, don't want to confuse him. We had done a lot of practice throughout the tournament. One day of non-practice won't harm you. The way [Salt] is batting in every match, the way he is giving us starts, it is a treat. I am a big fan of him."
RCB are one of the finalists on June 3, which will take place in Ahmedabad.
