“Whenever I Face, It’s Like…”: Virat Kohli Names The Toughest Bowler He Has Ever Faced

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 gears up for its grand opening, the excitement surrounding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is at an all-time high. With the franchise set to begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 22, all eyes are on Virat Kohli, RCB’s talisman and one of the most prolific batters in IPL history.

However, in the lead-up to the tournament, Kohli has made an intriguing revelation—naming Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he has ever faced in his illustrious career. The statement has reignited discussions about the iconic battles between the two Indian cricketing giants and what their rivalry could mean for the upcoming IPL season.

In this article, we dive deep into:
✔️ Kohli’s thoughts on facing Bumrah
✔️ His historic IPL career and milestones
✔️ What fans can expect from IPL 2025

“Even in the Nets, It Feels Like a Real Match”: Kohli on Bumrah

Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Virat Kohli did not hesitate to name Jasprit Bumrah as his toughest opponent, praising the star pacer’s skill, precision, and ability to trouble the best in the game.

“Jasprit Bumrah is the finest bowler in all three formats, and he has dismissed me a couple of times in the IPL. So, whenever I play against him, it’s like, ‘Alright, it’s going to be entertaining’ because we do not get to do that in the nets.”

Kohli further elaborated on how facing Bumrah in the nets is no different from a real match.

“Even in the nets, we feel like we are playing a match. The intensity is like a real IPL match, and he knows how to get me out. I try my best not to get dismissed. Today, he is the benchmark for me when I play against him regularly. Facing him is both the most enjoyable and the toughest challenge.”

🔥 The Kohli vs. Bumrah Rivalry in IPL

The Virat Kohli vs. Jasprit Bumrah contest has been a treat for cricket fans over the years. Kohli’s impeccable batting technique meets Bumrah’s unorthodox, deadly pace and accuracy, making their battles a highlight of every IPL season.

With Mumbai Indians (MI) and RCB set to clash in IPL 2025, the excitement of another Kohli vs. Bumrah face-off is already building.

Virat Kohli’s IPL Legacy: Records & Achievements

Kohli has been the backbone of RCB ever since the league’s inception in 2008. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the greatest batters in IPL history, breaking records and redefining consistency in T20 cricket.

📊 Key IPL Career Statistics (as of 2025):

Matches: 252
Runs: 8,004
Highest Score: 113*
Centuries: 8 (Most by any IPL player)
Fifties: 55
Strike Rate: 131.97
Batting Average: 38.67

🏆 Kohli’s Best IPL Season: The Record-Breaking 2016 Edition

One season that defined Kohli’s dominance was IPL 2016. The RCB stalwart shattered records and produced a performance for the ages:

Total Runs: 973 (most runs in a single IPL season)
Centuries: 4 (most in a single season)
Average: 81.08
Strike Rate: 152.03
Boundaries: 83 fours & 38 sixes

Kohli’s incredible season led RCB to the IPL final, where they finished as runners-up. Despite not lifting the trophy, his performance remains unparalleled in IPL history.

RCB’s Search for Their Maiden IPL Trophy

Despite being one of the most-followed teams, RCB has yet to secure an IPL title. Their best performances came in:

IPL 2009 (Finalists) – Lost to Deccan Chargers
IPL 2011 (Finalists) – Lost to Chennai Super Kings
IPL 2016 (Finalists) – Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad

RCB fans have waited 17 seasons for the elusive IPL trophy, and with the 2025 season approaching, there’s renewed hope that this might finally be their year.

🏏 Kohli’s Captaincy Record in IPL

Although Kohli stepped down as RCB captain in 2021, he remains the franchise’s most successful leader in terms of matches captained.

Matches as Captain: 143
Wins: 66
Losses: 70
Final Appearances: 1 (2016)
IPL Titles: 0

While his captaincy tenure had its ups and downs, Kohli’s influence on RCB’s aggressive playing style and brand value is undeniable.

🔥 IPL 2025: What to Expect from Kohli?

With RCB set to face KKR on March 22, Kohli’s form and performances will be crucial for his team’s success.

💡 Key Expectations from Kohli in IPL 2025:

1️⃣ Aggressive Opening: Kohli is expected to continue as an opener, where he has thrived in recent seasons. His partnerships with Faf du Plessis & Rajat Patidar will be key.

2️⃣ Big Matches, Big Runs: With IPL featuring high-pressure games, expect Kohli to step up, especially in clashes against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans.

3️⃣ Kohli vs. Bumrah Showdown: One of the biggest matchups to watch in IPL 2025 will be when RCB faces MI. Fans will be eager to see if Kohli can dominate Bumrah or if the MI pacer will once again trouble the RCB star.

4️⃣ RCB’s Title Quest: With Rajat Patidar leading the team as captain, Kohli’s experience will be invaluable in guiding the squad towards their first-ever IPL championship.

Conclusion: The Excitement Builds for IPL 2025!

Virat Kohli’s revelation about facing Bumrah adds another layer of excitement to an already thrilling IPL season ahead. Their battles in the IPL have been legendary, and with both players in peak form, fans are in for an edge-of-the-seat contest.

As Kohli prepares for another season, he remains the heartbeat of RCB, and his fans will be hoping to see him break more records and, perhaps, finally lift the IPL trophy.

Will IPL 2025 be the year of RCB’s redemption? Can Kohli once again set the stage on fire? And will Bumrah get the better of him, or will Kohli come out on top?

One thing is certain—the cricketing world will be watching closely. Brace yourselves for an action-packed IPL 2025!

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