IPL 2025: Virat Kohli’s rare failure as RCB return home to take on GT

In RCB's first home game with fans cheering, Virat Kohli was dismissed for just 7 in RCB vs GT match.

Virat Kohli vs Mohammed Siraj was billed as the big battle in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first game at home in IPL 2025. However, the best batter in IPL history fell to the little-known Arshad Khan, who replaced Kagiso Rabada for Gujarat Titans, in the RCB vs GT match.

Arshad Khan was wicketless against Punjab Kings last week, but he struck in his first over to get rid of Kohli, who hit 59 not out in the season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders and then battled his way to 31 in RCB’s historic win over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.

On Tuesday, the stage was set for another IPL special from Kohli. The leading run-scorer in the IPL, Kohli, had won the Orange Cap in 2024 and was in red-hot form heading into this summer’s edition.

Virat Kohli started in style – driving a length ball from Siraj past extra cover as the Chinnaswamy Stadium got up on its feet.

However, their joy was short-lived. In the second over of the innings, Kohli hit Arshad straight down to Prasidh Krishna at long leg, leaving the ground in stunned silence.

Kohli is the only batter in the history of the IPL to have scored over 8000 runs but he is yet to win the trophy. The batting legend will be eager to add to his silverware after winning the T20 World Cup last year and the Champions Trophy earlier in 2025.