• Virat Kohli signalled 'one more' to wife Anushka Sharma after RCB reached the IPL 2025 final.

  • Though Kohli’s contribution with the bat was brief, he was a live-wire on the field.

WATCH: Virat Kohli signals ‘one more’ to wife Anushka Sharma as RCB thrash PBKS in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1
Virat Kohli signals 'one more' to wife Anushka Sharma as RCB thrash PBKS in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 (PC: X)

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the Indian Premier League (IPL) final for the first time in nine years, crushing Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in a lopsided Qualifier 1 clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.

The emphatic victory was marked not only by RCB’s clinical performance but also by a heartwarming moment as star batter Virat Kohli signalled “one more” to his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, in the stands, igniting widespread excitement among fans.

RCB’s dominance against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1

RCB’s bowlers set the tone after skipper Rajat Patidar opted to field first. Punjab Kings, table-toppers in the league stage, faltered from the outset. RCB’s pace duo, Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma, tore through the PBKS lineup, each claiming three wickets. PBKS were bundled out for a paltry 101 in just 14.1 overs, the joint third-lowest total in IPL playoff history.

Marcus Stoinis top-scored for Punjab with 26, but reckless shots and relentless RCB bowling left the home side reeling. Hazlewood, Suyash and Yash Dayal shared the spoils as wickets tumbled at regular intervals, keeping PBKS under constant pressure.

Chasing a modest target of 102, RCB lost Kohli early for 12 and Mayank Agarwal for 19, but opener Phil Salt was in a punishing mood. Salt smashed an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and three sixes at a strike rate over 200. He was ably supported by Patidar (15*), as RCB raced to 106/2 in just 10 overs, sealing their place in the final with a record margin of 60 balls remaining—the largest in IPL playoff history.

Also READ: Top 5 fastest players to 1000 IPL runs in terms of balls ft. Phil Salt

Virat Kohli’s emotional gesture after RCB reaches IPL 2025 final

Though Kohli’s contribution with the bat was brief, he was a live-wire on the field, actively setting fields and motivating bowlers. After the win, as RCB players celebrated near the dugout, Kohli turned to the stands, where Anushka  was cheering, and signalled “one more to go”—a clear message that RCB now stand just one win away from their elusive maiden IPL title.

Anushka’s beaming reaction captured the emotion of the moment, quickly going viral on social media.

Here’s the video:

Kohli, who has been with RCB since the league’s inception in 2008, has seen the team reach the final three times before (2009, 2011, 2016), only to fall short each time. Now, after a nine-year wait, RCB will have another shot at glory.

Also READ: Suyash Sharma responds wittily to the haircut question as RCB reaches IPL 2025 final

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ANIRUDH SINGH
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