Virat Kohli reveals RCB’s template for first home win in IPL 2025-OxBig News Network

India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli revealed that RCB’s batting group pre-planned a specific strategy for the Chinnaswamy pitch, finally earning their first home win of IPL 2025 by beating Rajasthan Royals on 24 April. Kohli said a thorough assessment of the surface—unforgiving in three previous defeats—shaped their approach.

Batting first, Kohli anchored with a composed 70 off 42—his fifth fifty of the season—while hometown favourite Devdutt Padikkal blazed 50 off 27. Their partnership propelled RCB to 205/6, a total that ultimately proved 11 runs beyond Rajasthan’s reach. Speaking post-match, Kohli stressed that “proper planning” ended the side’s three-match home slide.

RCB vs RR: Highlights | Scorecard

“We had average games at home. We discussed a few things as a batting unit. We applied ourselves to get that total on the board. The pitch wasn’t that flat. The dew came in and the ball started coming onto the bat nicely in the second innings,” Kohli said.

“We did look at the pitch in the second half. It becomes an advantage to bat second. We did well to get past 200. The template is simple. One guy to bat through and allow the others to attack. That’s my role. Devdutt played really well and David finished it off. Today, it paid off,” he added.

Although Phil Salt failed to fire, Kohli ensured momentum against an RR attack featuring Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma. The foundation set, RCB’s bowlers sealed the deal.

Josh Hazlewood produced a Player-of-the-Match spell of 4/33, including a decisive 19th over that cost just one run, leaving Yash Dayal 18 to defend. Hazlewood’s heroics offset Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s expensive 18th over (22 runs) and preserved RCB’s advantage.

The win lifted RCB to third on the IPL 2025 table, combining batting composure with late-innings bowling brilliance to finally tame their home turf.