Virat Kohli faces backlash for controversial remarks against PBKS player
Positioned at first slip when Punjab Kings debutant Musheer Khan stepped out to bat, Kohli was caught on camera saying, “Ye paani pilata hai”
Though Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made it to the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Thursday (May 29), their star player Virat Kohli found himself in the eye of the storm following his controversial remark about Punjab Kings (PBKS) debutant Musheer Khan.
Also read | RCB thrash PBKS to enter IPL 2025 final
Kohli was the man in action on the field even as RB skipper Rajat Patidar had returned to lead the side, as the former could be seen setting the field for the team in the first few overs. He not only devised strategies in the middle but also uplifted everyone with his energy and passion on the field.
Debut match
It all started during the ninth over of Punjab Kings' innings when Musheer Khan stepped out to bat in his debut match. Positioned at first slip, Kohli was caught on camera saying, “Ye paani pilata hai.” The phrase, interpreted by many as calling the youngster a “water boy”, quickly sparked a social media backlash, with fans accusing the RCB star of humiliating the 20-year-old.
Musheer had spent most of the season on the sidelines, carrying drinks for his team. His big break came in the high-stakes playoff, though he could not cash in on it, as he was dismissed for a three-ball duck by Suyash Sharma. The tough debut added to the sting of the alleged comment, as fans voiced disappointment online.
Online backlash
Interestingly, Kohli’s gesture came weeks after a much warmer moment between the two. Following an earlier league match, Kohli had gifted Musheer a bat, which the young player shared on Instagram with the caption: “A million thanks for the bat, Virat Bhaiyya.”
Also read | IPL 2025 final: Kohli is going to play a big hand, says AB de Villiers
Meanwhile, a section of fans suggested that Kohli was ‘abusing’ the Punjab Kings youngster by calling him a “water boy”. The RCB icon's fans defended him, highlighting the fact that Kohli had gifted Musheer one of his bats earlier in the season. Some also pointed out the fact that Musheer idolises Virat as a batter.
Musheer, who is the brother of India's Test batter Sarfaraz Khan, made his IPL debut in the Qualifier 1 as an Impact substitute.