IPL 2025: 'Kohli Ki Vajah Se Hume Pyaar Mila Hai', Says RCB Star's Lookalike Outside Mullanpur Stadium Ahead Of Qualifier 1 vs PBKS; Video

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting lynchpin Virat Kohli's lookalike revealed that he has been getting plenty of recognition only because he resembles the veteran cricketer. The fan, who was spotted outside Mullanpur stadium, ahead of Qualifier 1 against RCB, was seen wearing the team's jersey in support of the Bengaluru-based franchise.

The 36-year-old has got a sea of franchise worldwide due to his exploits across formats. Having been playing for the Royal Challengers since the inaugural edition in 2008, he has also become the face of the franchise. He is also the leading run-getter in the tournament history, amassing over 9000 runs and has won the Orange Cap twice.

Speaking to IANS, the fan said:

"Yahan crowd bahut hai aur pyaar bahut accha dete hain. Punjab ke jo prashansak hain, Kohli se bhi itna pyaar nahin karte. Kohli ki vajah se hame pyaar mila hai. Hume proud hota hai is cheez se is ki vajah se crowd ko bhi maza aata hai. Original se jo log nahin mil paate hain, humshakal se hee khush ho jaate hain."

(The crowd in Punjab has given me a lot of love and all the love has come due to Virat Kohli. I'm happy that the crowd also gets amused because of me. The ones who can't meet Virat Kohli get happy by meeting me.)

RCB win toss in Mullanpur and opt to chase:

The toss in Mullanpur went the returning Rajat Patidar's way and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Qualifier 1 against the Punjab Kings. Both sides made one change to the their playing XI, with RCB bringing in Josh Hazlewood for Nuwan Thushara. Tim David still remains on the sidelines due to the hamstring injury.

Punjab Kings had to make a forced change, drafting in Azmatullah Omarazi for Marco Jansen, while Yuzvendra Chahal is still nursing a finger injury.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.