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NEW DELHI: A high-voltage Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) saw tempers flare, with Virat Kohli and Khaleel Ahmed at the center of an intense face-off.
The heated moment came after RCB broke their 17-year jinx at Chepauk with a commanding 50-run victory over CSK.
The spark was ignited during RCB’s innings when Khaleel Ahmed bowled a sharp bouncer to Kohli, who missed the delivery.
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The CSK pacer followed through aggressively, getting uncomfortably close and giving a fierce stare at Kohli. The RCB batter did not take kindly to it.
However, the real drama unfolded after the match during the customary handshake.
Kohli, who scored 31 off 30 balls, was visibly agitated when Khaleel approached him — possibly to extend a peace offering.
While shaking his hand, Kohli shoved the pacer away, making his frustration evident.
Watch:
Standing nearby, MS Dhoni watched the incident unfold with his signature calm demeanor, but the exchange was already caught on camera, sparking discussions among fans.
Later, Kohli was seen having a light-hearted chat with Ravindra Jadeja before his demeanour suddenly changed upon noticing Khaleel Ahmed approaching him.
His aggressive reaction was caught on camera, showcasing an intense exchange. However, the heated moment eventually cooled down, ending with both players shaking hands in a show of sportsmanship.
Earlier in the game, RCB posted a solid 196/7, thanks to a gritty 51 off 32 by Rajat Patidar and a late cameo from Tim David (22 not out off 8).
Despite a brisk start by Phil Salt (32 off 16) and Devdutt Padikkal (27 off 14), the innings stumbled in the middle overs before Patidar and David provided the finishing touches.
CSK’s chase faltered early as Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Yash Dayal (2/18) rattled their top order, leaving them at 52/4.
Rachin Ravindra (41 off 31) and MS Dhoni (30 not out off 16) fought back, but it wasn’t enough as CSK fell short, finishing at 146/8.
While RCB celebrated a historic win, Kohli’s fiery moment ensured that the drama didn’t end with the match.
READ ALSO: MS Dhoni becomes CSK’s highest run-scorer in IPL history
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
