Virat Kohli has been in prime form in IPL 2025. The RCB batter played a wonderful innings of 43 in 25 balls to lay a strong platform for RCB's chase of 232, however, his wicket meant that RCB lost the plot and suffered a defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli, who has scored 548 runs in 12 games, is one of the main reasons for RCB's juggernaut in IPL 2025. His form in the next matches will be critical to RCB's quest to win the maiden IPL title.

Given Kohli's form, many believe he could have played the Test series against England. For the unversed, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the England tour. The sentiments were echoed by former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, who felt that Kohli could have played for another two years.

“Definitely. I feel he retired too early from the Test format. He could've played easily for two years, the way he maintains fitness. But only Virat Kohli can tell the reasons behind the decision. It's a player's personal decision based on his will, or whether he feels exhausted,” Sehwag was quoted by Hindustan Times.

“But according to me, the way he played, and the way he showed energy, it feels he could've easily played for two years.”

The defeat to SRH meant that RCB slipped to third on the points table. The team would be keen to finish inside the top two to guarantee a place in Qualifier 1. Given how the teams are placed, all four qualified teams - GT, PBKS, RCB and MI- can finish inside top two. If GT win the last game, they will secure a top-two finish. If PBKS win the final two games, they'll also finish inside top two. For RCB to secure a top-two finish, they'll need to win the final game and reach 19 points. They'll then have to hope that either GT lose their last game, or PBKS suffer defeats in the final two games. In case GT win, and PBKS win a game, RCB and PBKS will be tied on points, however, PBKS with a better run rate should go through.