Dig at MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma? Virat Kohli's 'not going to play as an Impact player' comment has fans talking

Glory finally belongs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but it comes with heartbreak for Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 trophy could only go to one team ¡ª and after 17 years of waiting, it finally landed in the hands of Virat Kohli's side in the 18th edition.

As fans celebrated the long-awaited victory, Kohli was caught by Matthew Hayden for a post-match interview, where he shared his thoughts on the game and the emotions he was experiencing. While the King touched on several topics, he emphasized his loyalty to RCB, stating that he wants to stick with the team for as long as he can play. However, it was what he said next that really got everyone talking.

Virat Kohli's 'impact player' comment

Kohli while speaking about his loyalty to RCB and play till he can also added, "I am not going to play as impact player - I want to field - I want to field and make an impact - I am just that kind of player."

Kohli said "I am not going to play as impact player - I want to field - I want to field and make an impact - I am just that kind of player." pic.twitter.com/RZHYHCKp4t

¡ª Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 3, 2025

Fans think it's a dig to MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma

Soon after Kohli made this remark, it became a big talking point on social media, especially on X (formerly known as Twitter). Many believed it was an indirect dig to MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma - both who have been playing as impact players. While this year, Dhoni had to play the whole game as he was handed over the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, the 'Hitman' was subbed by Mumbai Indians (MI) if he was not batting.

One said, "Exactly. Players like Virat must be on the field. They leave their impact on field. Mumbai has lost it the same way as they asked their 5 times winning captain to play as impact player."

Exactly. Players like Virat must be on the field. They leave their impact on field. Mumbai has lost it the same way as they asked their 5 times winning captain to play as impact player.

¡ª Just Cricket ?? (@forjustcricket) June 3, 2025

Another said, "Direct dig at Rohit."

Direct dig at Rohit ?

¡ª Classic Mojito (@classic_mojito) June 3, 2025

One wrote, "Virat Kohli Cook Rohit Sharma."

Virat Kohli Cook Rohit Sharma ?

¡ª Honest Cricket Lover (@Honest_Cric_fan) June 3, 2025

Another wrote, "'Virat Kohli: I don't want to play as impact player, i want to field & create impact'...Dig at someone"

Virat Kohli: I don't want to play as impact player, i want to field & creat impact

Dig at someone

¡ª ????????????????????????????©\??? (@KingOfCrick) June 3, 2025

RCB vs PBKS: Teams

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood
Impact Subs: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlet, Harpreet Brar