Virat Kohli stunned as Omarzai takes superb running catch to dismiss RCB star
Afghanistan pacer Azmatullah Omarzai produced a stunning caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli. The dismissal in the 15th over not only broke RCB's momentum but also left Kohli visibly stunned.
In Short
- Azmatullah Omarzai took a stunning caught-and-bowled to dismiss Virat Kohli
- Kohli was out for 43 runs off 35 balls with three boundaries
- Kohli's slow strike rate surprised fans and commentators alike
Virat Kohli was left in disbelief after Azmatullah Omarzai pulled off a spectacular caught-and-bowled to dismiss the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star in the 15th over of the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings.
Omarzai dug in a short ball that rose sharply, and Kohli attempted a pull shot but only managed a top edge. With no fielder stationed at mid-wicket, the ball went high into the air. Omarzai sprinted towards it but ran into the non-striker, Liam Livingstone, who was backing up for a single. Despite the unexpected obstruction, the Afghan pacer showed remarkable presence of mind and athleticism to recover, regain speed, and dive full length to complete the catch with both hands.
Omarzai ensured the ball didn't pop out as he landed hard on his elbows. It was a moment of brilliance under pressure, and a significant turning point in the match. Kohli, who had been looking to anchor the innings, was dismissed for 43 off 35 balls, including three boundaries.
It was a crucial breakthrough for Punjab Kings. Kohli's approach in the final raised eyebrows. Known for stepping up in big matches, the former RCB captain took a conservative route, choosing to rotate the strike rather than go for big shots. This came despite him batting at a strike rate of nearly 150 throughout the tournament.
His intent sparked debate. On commentary, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden remarked that Kohli needed to press on, especially with 200 considered a par score at the Narendra Modi Stadium. During the first strategic time-out, after the ninth over, cameras captured an animated exchange between Kohli, head coach Andy Flower, and batting coach Dinesh Karthik - both seemingly urging the batter to lift the scoring rate.
Earlier, Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl. Both teams named unchanged XIs for the final - a sign of faith in their core line-ups. Kohli's dismissal halted RCB's momentum at a crucial stage. For Punjab, Omarzai's effort was not just a turning point but a spark in a final where every moment counts.