Virat Kohli Shines with Record Fast Fifty in IPL 2025
In an exciting match at the Wankhede Stadium on April 7, Virat Kohli showcased his incredible batting skills by scoring the fastest fifty in IPL history while batting first. He reached the milestone in just 27 balls during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) matchup against the Mumbai Indians.
Despite the early loss of teammate Phil Salt in the first over, Kohli kept RCB’s momentum going during the powerplay. He aggressively scored 36 runs from 19 balls, demonstrating his ability to tackle both spin and pace. Kohli made a statement against bowler Jasprit Bumrah by smashing a six in the fourth over, showcasing his ability to find gaps and exploit the field.
Even after the powerplay, Kohli continued to apply pressure, hitting a slog sweep for a boundary against Mitchell Santner in the seventh over. He capped off his blistering innings with a massive shot off left-arm spinner Vignesh Puthur, reaching his half-century in style—his fastest since the 2018 season.
Speaking to broadcasters after scoring 67 runs off 42 balls, Kohli shared insights into his evolving batting technique, emphasizing the need for creativity in T20 cricket. "Getting my touch early allows me to play the shots I want. I’m focusing on adapting and evolving my game," he said. "When I time the ball well at the start, I feel I can contribute effectively."
Kohli, who has stepped away from international T20s, is now utilizing this freedom to play more aggressively in IPL 2025. Notably, he also became the first Indian player to reach 13,000 runs in T20s during this innings.
He also commended fellow player Devdutt Padikkal for his strong performance, as Padikkal scored 37 runs off just 22 balls, providing crucial support during the powerplay. Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar later helped RCB finish their innings powerfully, with Patidar scoring 64 off 32 balls and Jitesh not out at 40 from 19 balls.
The Mumbai Indians struggled to contain RCB’s batting, with only Jasprit Bumrah managing to restrict runs. "After losing Salt early, we needed someone to step up, and Dev did just that. He’s been impressive lately," Kohli remarked. "Rajat and Jitesh also played vital roles, helping us achieve those extra runs at the end."
With Kohli’s stunning performance, RCB set a strong tone in the match, underlining their intentions in the ongoing IPL season.
