May 29, 2025: Virat Kohli’s intense on-field persona took center stage once again as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clashed with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the high-stakes Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. Despite not captaining the side, the veteran batter took charge of field settings and infused palpable energy into the RCB camp as they marched toward a dominant win — but not without stirring controversy.
With RCB ruthlessly dismantling PBKS’ top and middle-order, Musheer Khan, the younger brother of India’s Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, was brought in as an Impact Substitute. It marked Musheer’s IPL debut, and he had barely entered the field when he became the target of Kohli’s aggressive sledging.
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In a moment that quickly caught social media attention, Kohli was heard referring to Musheer as a “water boy”, a jibe based on the youngster’s earlier role delivering drinks to teammates during the tournament. The comment, while typical of high-pressure cricketing banter, ignited a fierce debate online.
Some users criticized Kohli’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and unsporting.
Others came to his defense, citing his competitive nature and reminding fans that the former Indian captain had earlier gifted Musheer one of his bats, a gesture reflecting mutual respect off the field.
Despite the verbal exchanges, Kohli’s on-field intensity paid off. He was instrumental in marshaling the RCB fielders during the early overs and showed unmatched passion throughout the innings, further elevating the atmosphere in what was a do-or-die encounter.
The incident adds another layer to Kohli’s fiery legacy in the IPL, often celebrated for his emotional involvement and willingness to go all-in to win games. For Musheer, the debut came with not only the pressure of performance but also a baptism by fire against one of cricket’s biggest personalities.
As RCB prepares for the IPL 2025 final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, all eyes will remain on Virat Kohli — a player who, at 36, still plays every match like it’s his first.