Top 5 Slowest T20 Innings by Virat Kohli in 2025 (IPL & T20I Breakdown)

Virat Kohli is celebrated for his consistency, class, and match-winning innings across formats. However, even great players have days where strike rate takes a back seat to wicket preservation and anchoring the innings. In the 2025 T20 season, including the IPL, Kohli played a few innings that were surprisingly slow by T20 standards.

In this article, we outline the Top 5 slowest T20 innings by Virat Kohli, analysing strike rates, match context, and overall impact.

Why Focus on Virat Kohli’s Slowest Innings?

Virat Kohli is known for his calculated approach in T20 cricket.
He often anchors innings, but slow knocks can become controversial in high-scoring games.

In IPL 2025, Kohli played key innings that were criticised for low strike rates despite decent scores.

These innings are worth analysing as they answer common fan queries such as:

• What is the lowest run of Virat Kohli?

• Slowest innings in T20 by Virat Kohli

• Virat Kohli's slowest innings in the T20 scorecard

• Virat Kohli's slowest innings in IPL history

Virat Kohli’s Slowest T20 Innings (2025)

1️⃣ #1 – Kohli’s Slowest Knock of IPL 2025: 31 Runs off 30 Balls vs CSK

Strike Rate: 103.33
Match: RCB vs CSK, IPL 2025
Venue: Chepauk Stadium

Virat Kohli's slowest innings in T20 for 2025 came against Chennai Super Kings. Chasing a target that required brisk scoring, Kohli's 31 off 30 balls drew heavy criticism. Many fans labelled it the "worst knock of IPL 2025", especially since the pitch wasn’t overly difficult and boundaries were accessible.

Fan Reaction:
"Strike rate of 103 in T20? That’s not what RCB needed today."

This performance also added to the discussion around Virat Kohli’s slowest innings in IPL history. Among many queries like What is the lowest run in IPL?, this innings stands out for its unusually slow pace.

He never looked comfortable at crease, with a clear plan to bowl at third stump & into his body, denying him room to free arms or play the slog sweep.

The plan worked perfectly, struggled to score freely & eventually fell at the long boundary, playing that slog.#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/g41xQQ1fcl

— Rana Husnain Aleem (@husnain19X) March 28, 2025

Bad innings from Kohli, not able to time at all and bad time to get out, hitting pace will be hard without him.

— Sai (@akakrcb6) March 28, 2025

“One Twitter user wrote, ‘Kohli’s playing Test cricket in T20S again!’”

Virat Kohli's two biggest issues in T20 cricket - intent in the middle overs and a struggle against spin - reared its head once again vs CSK. #IPL pic.twitter.com/XdjVoacD2F

— Shayne Dias (@ShayneDias_) March 28, 2025

2️⃣ 50 off 45 Balls vs Delhi Capitals – Slowest Half-Century of IPL 2025

Strike Rate: 111.11
Match: RCB vs DC, IPL 2025
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium

This match featured Virat Kohli’s slowest 50 in T20 for the season. He brought up his half-century in 45 balls, a strike rate far below what’s considered explosive in the format. Despite crossing the 50-run mark, the lack of acceleration became a talking point on social media and among cricket experts.

This also fuelled searches like Virat Kohli's slowest innings, as well as debates around whether Kohli's slow approach helps or hurts the team’s tempo.

3️⃣ 51 off 47 Balls vs Delhi Capitals – Continuation of the Anchor Role

Strike Rate: 108.51
Same Match as Rank 2 (RCB vs DC, IPL 2025) at Arun Jaitley Stadium

Kohli eventually finished that innings on 51 off 47 balls. This became his lowest strike rate in a 50+ score in IPL 2025. While the team won the game, critics argued Kohli could have rotated the strike better and handed over the aggressive role to the power hitters.

This innings is frequently searched by fans looking up Virat Kohli's slowest innings in T20 scorecard and Virat's slowest innings in T20 matches.

4️⃣ 43 off 35 Balls in IPL Final vs Punjab Kings – Pressure Showed

Strike Rate: 122.86
Match: RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 Final
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Though not the slowest by numbers, this innings gained attention due to its high-stakes context. Kohli’s 43 from 35 balls in the final lacked firepower, and experts felt a quicker innings could’ve changed the game’s outcome.

Expert Take:

"You can’t afford a 123 strike rate from your opener in the IPL final. The pressure was there, but so was the platform."

Given the match’s importance, many fans questioned whether it was among Virat Kohli's slowest innings in IPL and contributed to the worst average for Virat Kohli in an IPL edition.

5️⃣ Lowest Strike Rate for Any 50+ Run Innings – 108.5 SR

Strike Rate: 108.5
Venue/Match: Multiple T20 matches in 2025
Relevance: Lowest for a 50+ innings

Across all his T20 international and league outings in 2025, Kohli's strike rate never dipped below 100, but this particular 50+ score stood out for being his slowest in terms of SR. It highlighted a pattern in Kohli’s approach, prioritising anchoring over explosive acceleration.

This performance is often discussed under Virat Kohli's slowest innings in T20 international and Virat Kohli's slowest innings in T20 formats.

What Do Kohli’s Slow Innings Say About His Modern T20 Role?

Did Virat’s Anchoring Cost RCB Crucial Matches?

While anchoring the innings is important in T20 cricket, it must be balanced with the need for runs at a competitive strike rate. In 2025, Virat Kohli’s slowest innings came during moments when RCB needed faster scoring. For instance, his 31-ball 30 against CSK was played on a surface where 180+ scores were common. Critics believe these innings slowed down RCB’s momentum and possibly cost them wins in tight chases.

The Risk of Playing Safe in a Fast Format

T20 cricket has changed significantly, and strike rate often matters more than just runs scored. In Kohli’s case, even though he crossed the 50-run mark multiple times in IPL 2025, the low scoring rate raised concerns. While fans appreciate his technical brilliance, they also want to see aggressive intent, especially during power plays and death overs.

Comparing Strike Rates: Kohli vs Other Top Batsmen in 2025

In IPL 2025, players like Travis Head, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Heinrich Klaasen consistently struck at rates above 140. In contrast, Virat Kohli’s average strike rate hovered around 135, with some innings dipping as low as 103.33. These figures stood out in comparisons, especially when RCB needed quick acceleration in must-win games.

Will Kohli Adapt His T20 Game Going Forward?

With more Indian and overseas youngsters showing explosive intent, there's increasing pressure on seniors to evolve. Kohli may need to adapt his approach, especially post powerplay, if he wants to remain impactful in high-tempo formats like IPL and T20 Internationals.

What Makes a "Slow" T20 Innings?

A "slow" T20 innings typically means a strike rate under 115, especially if the batter faces 25+ balls. In 2025, Kohli had multiple such knocks that, while technically solid, didn’t align with modern scoring demands. This is especially evident in high-pressure matches like the IPL final.

What These Innings Reveal About Kohli’s T20 Strategy

Despite the criticism, Virat Kohli’s slowest innings in T20 cricket often come from his intent to anchor. In unpredictable T20 pitches, especially during IPL 2025, his methodical style helped RCB weather early storms.

🔍 Key Observations:

• Kohli scores heavily in powerplays but often slows down mid-innings.

• He intends to stay till the end, allowing hitters like Maxwell to accelerate.

• However, in high-scoring matches, this approach can appear counter-productive.

These traits also explain why fans commonly look up Virat Kohli's slowest innings, Top 5 slowest T20 innings by Virat Kohli, and the worst average for Virat Kohli in an IPL edition.

Fan and Expert Reactions

Kohli’s slow knocks never go unnoticed. Here are some of the top reactions:

• “King Kohli playing Test cricket in IPL again.”

• “The slowest 50 in T20 history, maybe?”

• “You can’t anchor when the team needs 200+.”

However, former players like Gautam Gambhir defended him, stating:

“His role is to stabilise. Strike rate doesn’t always tell the full story.”

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How These Innings Compare to Virat Kohli’s Overall T20 Legacy

When we talk about Virat's slowest innings in T20, it’s important to remember they represent outliers in a career defined by class and consistency. Kohli’s ability to pace an innings has been both praised and questioned, especially when Virat Kohli's slowest innings in IPL coincide with must-win situations.

Some fans continue to search queries like:

• What is the lowest run of Virat Kohli? – His 1-run innings in earlier IPL seasons still top that list, but in 2025, his 31 (30) against CSK takes the spotlight for being the most debated.

• What is the lowest run in IPL? – While not held by Kohli, his slowest innings in T20 have reignited discussions around pacing and intent in modern T20 cricket.

Even in Virat Kohli's slowest innings in T20 international matches this year, the common thread is his role as an anchor. These innings reflect a strategic choice rather than a decline in ability.

By reviewing Virat Kohli's slowest innings in the T20 scorecard, we can better understand how match situations, pitch conditions, and team requirements shape his approach.

Whether it's about maintaining composure in collapsing innings or ensuring a stable base for the hitters, Kohli's calculated pacing often comes with trade-offs. These games have fueled debates on whether anchoring is outdated or essential in today's high-octane T20 landscape.

Conclusion

While Kohli’s slowest innings in IPL 2025 sparked debate, they reflect his strategic mindset. Still, modern T20 demands faster adaptation. Whether you see them as cautious or calculated, these innings added depth to RCB’s batting and ensured stability when others collapsed.

As T20 cricket continues to evolve, Kohli’s approach remains a blend of classical technique and modern-day adaptation. But as these innings show, even legends must adjust strike rates to match the game’s speed.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive breakdown of the Top 5 slowest T20 innings by Virat Kohli, this season offered plenty of examples to analyse, learn from, and debate over.

FAQs

What is Virat Kohli’s slowest T20 innings in 2025?

His slowest innings was 31 runs off 30 balls against CSK, with a strike rate of 103.33.

Did Kohli score any slow half-centuries in IPL 2025?

Yes, he scored 50 off 45 balls against Delhi Capitals, which was the slowest fifty of the season.

Was Kohli criticised for his innings in the IPL final?

Yes, his 43 off 35 balls was seen as too slow for the high-pressure final against PBKS.

What was Kohli’s lowest strike rate for a 50+ run innings in 2025?

108.5 strike rate, his slowest for any T20 50+ score in 2025.

Why does Kohli play slowly in some matches?

He anchors the innings to provide stability, especially when wickets fall early.