Kohli, Salt blast MI as RCB set IPL 2025 tone at Wankhede
Kohli, Salt blast MI as RCB set IPL 2025 tone at Wankhede
Kohli and Salt fire a 120-run opening stand, with Salt blasting 78 and Kohli tipping in a classy 50, powering RCB past MI in a high-octane start at the IPL.
Mumbai hosted a blazing IPL start as Virat Kohli and Phil Salt unleashed a 120-run opening partnership to set Royal Challengers Bengaluru on a strong path against Mumbai Indians. Salt led the charge with a rapid 78 off 36 balls, while Kohli anchored the run chase with a stylish 50 before finally succumbing to Hardik Pandya. This power-packed stand marked one of the premier openings in IPL history against MI and underscored RCB's intent this season.
The 120-run partnership stands as RCB's second-biggest opening stand against MI, surpassed only by the 148-run alliance Kohli and Faf du Plessis stitched in Bengaluru back in 2023. Kohli's knock also reinforced his reputation as a monsoon of consistency at the top—his move through the gears was meticulous, and his eventual departure did not dampen the game's tempo. Salt's 78 off 36 was the ignition, and Kohli's measured 50 created the perfect platform for RCB’s innings to unfold.
Kohli’s milestone night didn’t stop there. With this innings, he added to a growing legacy by recording his 47th century partnership in T20 cricket—the most by any batter in the format—overtaking Babar Azam and leaving some of the greats in his wake. The support from Salt, combined with Kohli’s experience, has once again highlighted why Kohli remains a central pillar for RCB since the franchise’s IPL origin in 2008.
This clash also carried a broader narrative: MI opted to field after winning the toss, signaling a chase-friendly start at the Wankhede. As the defending champions, RCB’s early momentum forged confidence across the lineup and hinted at a competitive season ahead for the team that clinched the IPL title in 2025. The early pace and calculated aggression suggest RCB will be a hard team to rein in when they get a rhythm going this year.
As the innings progressed, fans were treated to a fast-paced, entertaining display that set the tone for IPL 2025—an opening act that suggested plenty of fireworks to come for RCB, Kohli, and Salt as the campaign unfolds.
