Virat Kohli, star batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has sparked controversy during Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 after a video emerged of him allegedly making a disrespectful comment towards Musheer Khan, a 20-year-old debutant for Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Viral Clip Shows Kohli’s Comment as Musheer Walks Out to Bat
In the ninth over of PBKS’ innings, shortly after the dismissal of Marcus Stoinis, young batter Musheer Khan came in to bat. As he took guard, a clip surfaced online where Kohli is seen having an animated conversation with a teammate at first slip.
The viral video led to fans accusing Kohli of referring to Musheer as a “paani pilata hai” (water boy) — a comment interpreted by many as disrespectful, especially towards a youngster making his IPL debut.
While some fans condemned the remark as arrogant, others defended Kohli, suggesting he was merely stating that Musheer had been carrying drinks throughout the season — not intending it as an insult.
Musheer Khan’s Debut and Previous Interaction with Kohli
Musheer Khan, who was picked by PBKS for INR 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction, made his debut as an impact substitute in the crucial match against RCB. Having not played in any previous games this season, he had been seen delivering drinks for most of the tournament.
Ironically, earlier in the season, Kohli gifted Musheer a bat, a gesture that the youngster acknowledged publicly on Instagram, thanking Kohli warmly:
“A million thanks for the bat, Virat Bhaiyya,” Musheer wrote.
This makes the incident even more puzzling for fans, who are divided over whether the latest exchange was light-hearted or out of line.
RCB Win Overshadowed by Controversy
While RCB’s eight-wicket win over PBKS earned them a spot in the IPL 2025 final, the focus has now partially shifted to Kohli’s alleged comment. PBKS were bowled out for just 101, and Phil Salt led the chase with an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, finishing the match with 60 balls to spare.
Despite RCB’s dominance, Kohli’s viral moment is drawing attention, with social media split on the intent behind his words. Whether it was a playful remark or a dig, the incident has stirred a debate around on-field conduct, especially toward young debutants.
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