Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to crackle with tension on April 24, 2025, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL’s 42nd match. All eyes are on one duel: Sandeep Sharma, the wily Rajasthan pacer, versus Virat Kohli, RCB’s batting colossus. Sharma’s dismissed Kohli seven times in IPL history—more than any other bowler. The question buzzing through the stands and social media is simple but electric: can Sharma make it eight?
Kohli, the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer, has been a run-machine this season, piling up 322 runs at a staggering 64.40 average. His bat’s been a blur, smashing 15 fours and a six off Sharma alone across their clashes. But the Rajasthan bowler’s got Kohli’s number like no one else. In 10 IPL innings against Sharma, Kohli’s been sent packing seven times, often falling to the seamer’s nagging accuracy and subtle swing. Their battles are a chess match—Kohli’s aggressive footwork against Sharma’s disciplined lines.
The numbers tell a stark story. Kohli’s faced 25 dot balls from Sharma, a sign of the bowler’s ability to choke the maestro’s flow. Posts from official cricket accounts on X have lit up with stats: no bowler has tamed Kohli this consistently in the IPL. Sharma’s dismissed him in key moments, from early breakthroughs to momentum-shifting wickets. On April 16, 2025, one such clash saw Kohli edge a Sharma outswinger to the keeper, a moment replayed endlessly on highlight reels.
RCB, sitting fourth with five wins from eight games, are banking on Kohli to fire. Rajasthan, meanwhile, lean on Sharma’s knack for big scalps. The Bengaluru pitch, known for its batting-friendly bounce, might favor Kohli’s cover drives, but Sharma’s swing could exploit early moisture under lights. Their last meeting this season, on April 13, saw Kohli dominate most RR bowlers—except Sharma, who kept him quiet with tight lengths.
This isn’t just a personal duel; it’s a game-changer. If Sharma strikes early, RR could rattle RCB’s top order. If Kohli breaks free, Rajasthan’s bowling plans unravel. Fans are already packing the stands, jerseys on, voices hoarse, waiting for the next chapter in this IPL saga.
The match starts at 7:30 p.m. local time. Kohli has 322 runs in IPL 2025. Sharma’s taken seven of his wickets. That’s the math. The rest? It’s down to skill, nerve, and a little bit of fate.