![Kohli sledged by Khaleel during RCB VS CSK [Source: Screengrab/Star Sports]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775399911099_KohlisledgedbyKhaleelduringRCBVSCSK.jpg?type=hq)
Kohli sledged by Khaleel during RCB VS CSK [Source: Screengrab/Star Sports]
Ever since the start of the year, RCB opener Virat Kohli has unleashed his 2.0 version, as the batter has played with an aggressive mindset and has taken his power game to the next level. He started the year with an onslaught against South Africa in the ODI series, and it was carried forward in the 3-game series against the Kiwis.
Despite not playing much cricket, Kohli entered the IPL 2026 with the intention of proving his doubters wrong, and he certainly did that against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the season.
As a result, the expectations from him were high for the derby game against the Chennai Super Kings. Virat Kohli started slowly as he struggled to time the ball properly, but the veteran player needed just one big hit to break the shackles. However, that big hit came after CSK pacer, Khaleel Ahmed sledged him.
Kohli involved in heated staredown with Khaleel Ahmed
In the RCB Vs CSK IPL 2026 match, Khaleel Ahmed bowled two economical overs as the defending champions faced his wrath in the power play. Towards the end of the third over, Khaleel bowled a length ball as Kohli swung and missed it completely.
The over got completed as Khaleel Ahmed said something to the RCB opener, which triggered Virat Kohli. The RCB veteran had a mini staredown with the left-arm seamer as war of words were exchanged between the two players.
The exact wording couldnโt be decoded, but it certainly fired up Kohli as CSK witnessed the wrath in the next over.
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Kohli takes revenge in the next over
Matt Henry was the bowler in the next over, and an angry Kohli decided to punish him as he showed his class. Henry bowled a length ball as Kohli decided to break the shackles with a no-look six.
The RCB opener planted his front-foot forward as he swung hard and cleared the deep mid-wicket region without breaking a sweat. In the same over, Kohli took on the CSK pacer as he ended the over with a boundary to push RCBโs scorecard.
Had Khaleel not fired up Kohli, things might have been different. However, CSK eventually had the last laugh as Anshul Kamboj dismissed the opener for 28.
Not the first time Khaleel angered Virat Kohli in IPL
This is not the first time Khaleel Ahmed and Virat Kohli were involved in a heated exchange in an IPL game. In the IPL 2025 game between RCB and CSK, Khaleel said a word or two to the RCB legend, and it didnโt end well for the left-arm seamer as Kohli made him pay for his words.
After firing him up in the RCB Vs CSK match, Khaleel bowled a bouncer as the RCB batter smashed him for a huge six. It was then followed by a majestic flick of the wrist boundary and it was just the start of a rivalry between the two players.
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