"When Virat Kohli has to hit 4s and 6s.."- Virender Sehwag sets spine-chilling narrative

Published - 28 Apr 2025, 12:21 PM | Updated - 28 Apr 2025, 03:30 PM

Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag. Image Credit: X

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Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag hailed Virat Kohli for yet another masterclass in chasing under pressure at his home ground.

He praised Virat Kohli’s incredible ability to finish games, as he once again showed his magic during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s thrilling six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday (April 27).

Despite retiring from T20I cricket in June last year, Kohli continues to set the stage on fire in IPL 2025.

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Chasing 163 on a slow Delhi pitch, RCB stumbled to 26 for 3 early on. But Kohli, alongside Krunal Pandya, pulled the team out of trouble with a sensational 119-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Virender Sehwag lauds Virat Kohli’s ability to anchor chases after RCB's thrilling win over DC

Kohli anchored RCB’s successful chase perfectly with the crucial 51 off 47 balls, while Krunal smashed an unbeaten 73 off 47 balls to guide the team to a dominant six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals with nine balls to spare at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

This victory powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with seven wins from ten matches so far in the tournament. It was Kohli’s sixth fifty in the ongoing season, third in a row, and fourth while chasing a target.

In three of those chases, he even remained unbeaten, including a memorable one against KKR at Eden Gardens in the opening match.

While some questioned his strike rate of 108.51 during his match-winning knock against DC, Virender Sehwag backed the RCB superstar’s smart approach, saying he is called chasemaster for a reason.

Virat Kohli is called the chase master for a reason: Virender Sehwag

Sehwag pointed out that Kohli’s strength isn’t just about hitting big fours and sixes every time, but knowing when to build a partnership and take the game deep.

Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz, “He knows that he does not want to throw away his wicket and that if he stays at the crease, the runs will come. He even saw RCB conceding 50-60 in the last 5 overs. He knew the Pacers would come in the death, and it would be easier to score against them.”

The former Indian opener further said, “Virat Kohli is called the chase master for a reason. Leave aside the topic of hitting fours and sixes. When the day comes, he will also be scoring fours and sixes. Today, it was important to stay till the end and stitch the partnership, which he did. Scored four fours and got the other runs by running.”

Virender Sehwag highlights Virat Kohli's role in Krunal Pandya's knock

Furthermore, Sehwag praised Kohli for using his vast experience to keep Krunal Pandya in the groove.

Throughout the innings, Kohli’s constant chatter and support at the crease played a key role in helping Pandya stay focused and build a crucial partnership.

Sehwag signed off by saying, “He was also keeping Krunal in check to not risk it and only score when a loose delivery is on offer, which we could lip-read. It is special about him— nobody chases like Virat.”