IPL 2025: Virat Kohli Teases KL Rahul with 'Kantara' Celebration After RCB's Victory Over DC

Bengaluru : In a lighthearted moment following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday, Virat Kohli was seen teasing KL Rahul by imitating the now-famous 'Kantara' celebration, which Rahul had first introduced earlier in the season. The two India teammates shared a laugh, despite a tense exchange between them during the game.

The incident occurred after a heated interaction between Kohli and Rahul during the match, where Kohli appeared frustrated by DC’s slow pace in setting their field positions. This led to a heated exchange, with both players using several hand gestures, showcasing their emotions. However, after RCB’s comfortable win, Kohli lightheartedly mimicked Rahul's 'Kantara' celebration—planting his bat on the ground—an act that Rahul had performed during an earlier win over RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier in the season.

In the post-match interview, Kohli, who scored a solid 51 runs, discussed his approach during the run-chase. He emphasized the importance of strike rotation, particularly on challenging surfaces like the one at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Kohli explained, "I look at the total on the board, the conditions, the bowlers who are due to bowl, and who the tough bowlers are to get away. I try and ensure that my singles and doubles keep flowing, and then a boundary comes along to keep the game dynamic. You can’t just start hitting from ball one. The key is professionalism, understanding the situation, and getting into a position where you can dominate."

He further stressed the importance of partnerships in T20 cricket, noting that it is crucial not to neglect the innings' progression. Kohli added, "People are forgetting the importance of partnerships or going deep into the innings in T20s. This year, you’re seeing that you can’t just come out and tee off from ball one. You need to read the situation and have the professionalism to get to a stage where you can start dictating terms."

With the win, RCB gained a vital two points in the tournament. They will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3 in Bengaluru, where they will look to continue their momentum and push further into the IPL 2025 playoff race.