Mumbai, March 23: After Virat Kohli's unbeaten half-century led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a thrilling win over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 opener, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden praised the right-hander's "chasing masterclass," calling his recent form a dynamic "Kohli 2.0" on the field. Kohli, the most prolific run-getter in IPL history, picked up from where he left off in 2024, remaining unbeaten on 59 in the chase of 175 after a scintillating opening stand with Phil Salt (56 off 31) as RCB beat KKR by seven wickets at Eden Gardens. Virat Kohli Scores Half-Century As Royal Challengers Bengaluru Blow Away Defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders With Resounding Seven-Wicket Win in IPL 2025.

Following the RCB's win, Hayden analysed Kohli슬롯사이트s approach in the chase and said the 175 was the perfect total for the former skipper to chase down.

"This was the perfect total for Virat Kohli to chase down. If you find yourself in a par or slightly above-par scenario on such a surface, that슬롯사이트s where he thrives. It슬롯사이트s crucial that Phil Salt, as his partner, helps elevate the strike rate and scoring rate. Kohli has picked up exactly where he left off with Kolkata Knight Riders, but tonight and over the past two seasons, we슬롯사이트ve seen 슬롯사이트Virat Kohli 2.0.슬롯사이트�

"Especially in the middle overs, he was really damaging. He finds it quite easy against pace in the powerplay, but today, through the middle overs, he maintained a strike rate above 170슬롯사이트exactly what was needed," said Hayden on JioHotstar. IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood슬롯사이트s Precision Paves the Way for Royal Challengers Bengaluru슬롯사이트s Dominant Win Over Kolkata Knight Riders.

India legend Sunil Gavaskar further highlighted the performances of Rajat Patidar, also made merry on his RCB captaincy debut with a quickfire 34 off 16, stating, "Rajat Patidar has played under Virat Kohli and spent a lot of time with him, so he would have gelled a lot easier. You could see that as soon as he went in to bat, Kohli was giving him the confidence to relax and play. And what an innings Virat Kohli played! What an innings Patidar played! It was a superb knock슬롯사이트the way he was stroking the ball and making it look easy.

"Recognising that a quick victory is also important in the long run, RCB슬롯사이트s ability to restrict KKR from what initially looked like a 200-210 score down to 175 will give them loads of confidence. As a captain and a batter, Rajat Patidar has come good. Everything he did, including bowling changes, was outstanding," Gavaskar said on JioHotstar.

Earlier, the platform for the victory was set by player-of-the-match Krunal Pandya's 3/29 in four overs, which was instrumental in RCB's comeback after KKR were on song early on and restricted the defending champions to 174/8.슬롯 머신 사이트 추천IPL 2025: KKR New Skipper Ajinkya Rahane Backs Kolkata Knight Riders After Heavy Loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Says 슬롯사이트No Need To Panic슬롯사이트�.

"He was such a smart pick and a clever bowler. His change of pace, his ability to attack the stumps슬롯사이트it was an excellent setup. You can't beat experience in high-pressure situations, and he showed serious character. At one point, it looked like RCB was in deep trouble, but their comeback was superb," Hayden said on Pandya슬롯사이트s role in the match.

Hayden signed off by praising RCB's all-round performance, "It was an emphatic and important victory for Rajat Patidar as the new captain. Having Virat Kohli in great form certainly helps. Their bowling lineup looked solid슬롯사이트Krunal Pandya was a handy asset through the middle, and Josh Hazlewood did what he does best. For the first time in a long while, I look at RCB슬롯사이트s setup and think슬롯사이트there슬롯사이트s something special about this unit this year."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2025 01:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).