New Delhi, April 25: Legendary former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said that Gujarat Titans (GT) paid an enormous price for dropping Virat Kohli on the very first ball of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) chase, a blunder that directly cost them the match. Speaking to JioStar, Gavaskar called the dropped catch the definitive turning point of an IPL 2025 thriller that ended in a five-wicket victory for RCB. Kohli, reprieved on zero, went on to score a masterful 81 off 44 balls, anchoring the chase with clinical precision.

The Dropped Catch That Changed Everything

After being invited to bat, Gujarat Titans posted a formidable 205/3, setting up what appeared to be a challenging target. However, the contest shifted dramatically in the very first over of RCB's innings when Washington Sundar put down a regulation catch off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj, letting Kohli off the hook at zero.

Gavaskar was unequivocal in his assessment. "That dropped catch of Virat Kohli off Siraj's bowling definitely cost Gujarat Titans a lot. We all know he is not just known as a king — he is known as a chase master as well. He loves these kinds of situations where he comes in to bat, knows the target, and can play according to the situation," Gavaskar told JioStar.

He added pointedly: "You drop him on the first ball, then he will definitely make you pay. That is exactly what he did. After that dropped catch, what a knock he has played." The statement encapsulates a truth that IPL teams have learned repeatedly — Kohli punishes mercy.

Kohli's Historic Innings and Milestone Moments

Virat Kohli's knock of 81 off 44 balls was not just match-winning — it was historic. The innings made him the first batter in IPL history to complete 800 fours in the tournament, a milestone that underscores his extraordinary longevity and consistency across 18 seasons. He also became only the third player to hit 300 sixes in IPL history during the same knock.

Gavaskar elaborated on Kohli's unmatched ability to read a chase: "Chasing down huge totals with ease has been Virat's trademark batting style throughout his career. GT must be thinking about that dropped catch. At one point in the run chase, when the spinners were bowling, the ball was gripping a bit. It would not have been that easy once the ball got a little older. But this man is one of the greatest in the game. He made it look easy."

This innings adds yet another chapter to Kohli's storied IPL chase record. His average in successful chases in the IPL is significantly higher than in matches RCB lose, reinforcing Gavaskar's point about him being a situational genius.

Devdutt Padikkal's Transformation Earns High Praise

While Kohli anchored the innings, Devdutt Padikkal provided explosive support with a quickfire 55 in the middle overs, keeping RCB comfortably ahead of the required rate. Gavaskar was effusive in his praise for the young left-hander's technical evolution.

"Devdutt Padikkal played an excellent innings. Virat Kohli rightly pointed out after the match that Padikkal has been hitting some very clean cricketing shots. Earlier, he was seen as an off-side player. His main scoring areas were cover and mid-off. He used to struggle on the on-side. But now he has overcome that limitation. He is hitting sixes and boundaries behind square as well," Gavaskar observed.

This technical growth is significant for RCB's batting blueprint. A batter who can score all around the ground is far harder to contain, and Padikkal's improvement directly enhances RCB's middle-order firepower.

RCB's Batting Depth Emerging as a Tournament Weapon

Gavaskar highlighted how Padikkal's development strengthens RCB's overall batting architecture. "This adds to RCB's batting strength. They have Devdutt at number three and captain Rajat Patidar at number four. Both can hit sixes from the first ball. That is making a big difference for RCB right now," he said.

The combination of Kohli at the top, Padikkal at three, and Rajat Patidar at four gives RCB a top order capable of handling both pace and spin across all phases of a T20 innings. This balance has been a key factor in their strong campaign in IPL 2025.

Notably, RCB have historically been vulnerable to middle-order collapses, a weakness that plagued them through multiple seasons. The emergence of Padikkal as a complete batter addresses that structural flaw, potentially making this RCB side more resilient than its predecessors.

Broader Implications for IPL 2025

This victory reinforces RCB's position as serious title contenders in IPL 2025. For Gujarat Titans, the loss will sting not just because of the result but because of the manner — a single fielding lapse in the opening over unravelling an otherwise disciplined effort. The lesson is stark: in modern T20 cricket, half-chances against elite batters like Kohli are rarely second chances.

As the tournament progresses into its business end, RCB's ability to chase down large totals — anchored by Kohli's genius and supported by a deepening batting unit — will make them a formidable opponent for any side. All eyes will be on whether Virat Kohli can continue this form as RCB push for their maiden IPL title.