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The IPL 2025 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Lucknow on Friday night was marked by a pivotal moment that sent shockwaves through the stadium and social media: Virat Kohli’s unexpected dismissal, and the stunned reaction of his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, which quickly became the emotional touchstone for RCB fans everywhere.
Virat Kohli’s sudden fall leaves Anushka Sharma stunned
Chasing an imposing 232-run target set by SRH, RCB’s hopes rested heavily on their talismanic opener, Virat Kohli. Kohli, fresh off his recent Test retirement, looked in sublime touch, hammering 43 runs off just 25 balls, including seven fours and a six. Alongside Phil Salt, he powered RCB to a blistering 80-run opening stand in just seven overs, giving fans hope of a record chase.
But the momentum shifted dramatically in the eighth over. Kohli, who had been dominating the bowlers, fell to 22-year-old left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, exposing his well-documented vulnerability to left-arm spin in T20s. The stadium fell silent as Kohli walked back, his hopes of closing the gap in the Orange Cap race dashed – he remained at 548 runs for the season, trailing Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill.
As Kohli trudged off the field, cameras captured Anushka’s reaction in the stands. The actress-turned-producer, known for her passionate support, was visibly shocked and stunned, her expression perfectly mirroring the disbelief of RCB fans worldwide. Lip readers and social media users speculated about what she said in that moment, but the raw emotion on her face told the story: the match, and perhaps RCB’s top-two finish hopes, had taken a severe blow.
The clip of Anushka’s reaction quickly went viral, with fans and commentators noting how her stunned disbelief summed up the mood in the RCB camp.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) May 23, 2025
anushka sharma reaction virat kohli wicket pic.twitter.com/zPTtAIoJ9x
— HarsheetX (@HarsheetX) May 23, 2025
Anushka Sharma Got Tears in Eyes after Virat Kohli got out on 43 Runs vs SRH 😢 #viratkohli #RCBvsSRH pic.twitter.com/wKNnDA4K51
— Over and out (@Over_and_out1) May 23, 2025
For many, it was a poignant reminder of the emotional rollercoaster that is IPL cricket, especially when it involves superstars like Kohli.
RCB lose their last 7 wickets for 16 runs
Kohli’s wicket triggered a dramatic collapse. Despite Salt’s 62 and a fighting 24 from stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma, RCB lost their last seven wickets for just 16 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 189 and losing by 42 runs. The defeat not only ended their unbeaten away streak but also complicated their path to a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 playoffs race.
While SRH celebrated a clinical win led by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 94 and incisive bowling from Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga, the enduring moment of the night was Anushka’s stunned reaction—a moment that encapsulated the heartbreak of RCB fans and the unpredictable drama of T20 cricket.
Also READ: Netizens react as Ishan Kishan’s blistering 94 powers SRH to a dominant win over RCB in IPL 2025
