KING KOHLI MAGIC: Virat Kohli leads RCB assault with Krunal Pandya also delivering on IPL big stage

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been criticised for not winning an IPL title till now. Last year, they made a late charge, but failed. In the lung opener of the blockbuster IPL opener at the Eden Gardens on Saturday night, RCB exploded into brilliance. For those who have questioned the ability of Virat Kohli to be still a match-winner, he showed his true colours. His was a smashing hit knock, where he showed that he will bat, guide and also ideate with the team. It was defining in many ways.

This is a side which has one official leader/skipper in Rajat Patidar. He, obviously, is being guided on the field by Kohli and outside the field by Mo Bobat and shrewd DK --Dinesh Karthik. Indeed, Kohli was raging, breathing fire, his eyes shining and he turned the packed Eden Gardens into his own theatre. If his knock was a mellifluous virtuoso, what Phil Salt did at the top, as opening partner with Kohli was also sensational. Who would have thought this explosive opening combo would produce the fireworks after KKR new skipper Ajinkya Rahane had lit up proceedings.

People need to give RCB credit for strategy as well as substance. For the passionate RCB fans who throng venues and scream their lungs out in front of the television sets or phone apps, this was win great. It was much like getting to sip water in an arid desert. Mind you, Kolkata had seen sharp showers on Saturday and there were doubts over the match being held. From toss to finish, RCB’s template was an effective one. Kohli’s fireworks and aggressive strike rate did send the pulse racing but how does one not factor the knock was produced by Rajat Patidar. Calm, composed and a young man who has a cool head and shoulders to take on the load, Patidar passed the first leadership test.

But the big deal is the RCB bowling. Many felt, their spin attack is not strong and there was no tweaker of Varun Chakravarthy’s calibre. This is the biggest mistake fans have made, to underestimate the IPL sides. This time, each IPL team looks competitive, though Lucknow Super Giants are handicapped with injuries to key pacers like Mayank Yadav. In the spin department, the IPL in its 18^th year, has ensured past and present maestros have been able to adapt and innovate. The fear of getting hit does not exist. Today, the spinners in white ball have become daring.

And this was defined by Krunal Pandya for RCB, as his three-wicket haul for RCB was defining. To bowl four overs, concede 29 runs and grab three wickets, this was box-office hit from Krunal. At 33, he knows that to be the lesser famous Pandya from Ahmedabad is no shame. His brother Hardik Pandya is the Mumbai Indians and India hero. But then, Krunal has a large heart. On the big stage in Kolkata where the locals were left in tears, Krunal was mesmerising. He bowled with a large heart. This one performance is going to act like an IV drip infusion, give him energy and get the juices flowing. To beat the defending champions in their own backyard is a big plus for RCB.

The Bengaluru side has faced criticism for many reasons, the biggest being the lack of a single IPL trophy in their cupboard. Before one does hype them as potential champions in IPL 2025, relax. This is just the first match. The IPL format is long and lasts till May 25. Players and teams have to ensure their performance levels are consistent and there is not too much fluctuation. For a side which been valuated at US $ 227 million by Houlihan Lokey in their 2024 report, RCB has 47 business ‘partners’ in the 2025 IPL. It tells you so much about their connect. If you look at the RCB jersey, advertising and fan base plus how their tickets sell at crazy prices for home matches in Bengaluru, the story is complete. With a win in the IPL opener, the momentum should build up further for RCB.