IPL 2025: Bro Kohli guides Krunal Pandya and RCB to plot a big win against Delhi Capitals

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For those who have watched an orchestra, the conductor plays a very important part. Indians will remember how a certain Zubin Mehta would hold a stick on his hand, make motions with it, for all the accompanying artists to churn out symphony.

At the fortress called Ferozeshah Shah Kotla Stadium in the Capital, rechristened as the Arun Jaitley Stadium, one man was orchestrating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fightback - Virat Kohli.

At 16 minutes past 11 pm, when passionate cricket fans inside the cauldron got their fill of drama and excitement, the way RCB flattened the challenge from Delhi Capitals to win by six wickets was defining as the IPL fever has peaked.

For those who were fortunate to be present inside the venue, each image, each bit of action was riveting. Yet, one man, now 36, was part of every bit of action - the one and only Kohli.

Each time one reads news Kohli is migrating to London with his family, it needs to be laughed at. His heart is in Indian cricket, be it playing for the nation, even one occasional Ranji Trophy match for Delhi.

And, of course, how he loves RCB for the respect they have given to him since 2008 in the IPL. Each motion of Kohli on Sunday (April 27) was a reminder he likes to be in the thick of action, be part of leading the side even without the title of captain and how to fire up his own teammates.

It was this facet of Kohli one got to see again, even though Rajat Patidar is the official captain of RCB. If Delhi Capitals were batting first and floundered, Kohli was so active, making motions, waving his arms. Well like the orchestra conductor, Kohli was giving instructions to the fielders, for how the positions are set up is important.

For those who look at only the scorecard and will talk of Kohli and how Krunal Pandya fashioned the RCB win, please rewind to the bowling masterclass conducted by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.

Bowling in bone dry heat in Delhi during a heat wave is a challenge, even if it is just four overs. Bhuvi is past prime, some said. How stupid is that. Even at 35 years of age, the man from Meerut worked up rhythm to wreck DC, with three wickets in four overs.

If Bhuvi was cunning, Josh Hazlweood showed rhythm, flow, ebb and consistency. He still bounds in fast, bowls at the right spot. And one such effort from the 34- year-old Aussie saw him get the prized wicket of DC skipper Axar Patel.

The Kotla wicket is a dubious one, it plays tricks. A smart bowler will be a student and work hard on fundamentals. The way Hazlewood dismissed Patel was bowling a good line and the batter going across the line. Watching the stumps break and light flash, it was agony for DC and ecstasy for RCB.

It was an extremely irresponsible shot from Axar, since he came in at No. 5, and played across the line. On this day, even KL Rahul was finding it to force the pace, where RCB had great variety with Krunal Pandya also rolling his arm over.

The role Krunal played on Sunday defined why RCB trusts such players. For DC to be restricted to 162 for 8 in 20 overs was also great planning from RCB. Kohli was part of it and then returned to lead like a King in the batting chase.

Axar Patel had rocked the RCB boat when he struck early and the Royal Challengers were tottering at 26/3. Then came the classic act from Bro Kohi and Krunal Pandya. If one has seen driving lessons, the instructor keeps encouraging the dilettante driver to master the skills at the wheel.

On Sunday night, Kohli was doing that as mentorship acquired a new meaning. He was batting with enormous discipline but he showed to Krunal how important it is to be present and perform.

To goad the batter at the other end, to infuse confidence and push along the scoring, Kohli did his job in adding runs in ones and twos without an obsession for the strike rate. He also allowed Krunal to settle and blossom.

In a long time, Krunal (73 not out) has not batted like this. It was will more than skill he stayed at the crease and mastered the conditions where the DC bowlers had suddenly forgotten the lines.

Perhaps, towards the fag end, when it was really heating up, Kohli in fierce concentration looked dangerous. His eyes gleamed and the body language was more intense.

So, for all those who watched Kohli engage in a 'chat' with wicket-keeper KL Rahul, it was clearly not polite words. Kohli knows the Delhi venue as well as he knows the Chinaswamy Stadium or famous Test centres in Australia, where he has posted records of significance.

KL has been performing, but never make the mistake of needling Kohli. It's dangerous. You can take Delhi out of Kohli but certainly not the Punjabi swagger. It is almost like, 'come let's settle it' with a few expletives. The stump mic did not pick up much, but KL looked sheepish at the end of it. Don't mess with Bro Kohli.

When Kohli fell for 51 runs, trying to smash a six of Dushmnatha Chameera, he had not erred. To have been at the crease for so long and coaxed along Krunal, he had to execute that shot. It went to the safe hands of Mitch Starc.

What then followed was carnage as new man in, Tim David launched himself into attack like a commando. Standing at six feet and five inches, Tim was menacing as he smashed 19 runs off five balls. His stay at the crease was electrifying, even as Krunal Pandya stayed unbeaten.

For DC to lose at home, this will hurt. One look at the points table, RCB are at 14 points from 10 matches. They are looking good and will use this momentum ahead. As for DC, they need to show greater intent and consistency. To grab three early wickets and then lose the plot, it's bad captaincy. After all, King Kohli will always be a winner in whatever he does, Dil Se.