RCB outclassed fragile-looking SRH during the 65th fixture of IPL 2023. Virat Kohli who stood out with the bat against SRH by registering his first IPL century of the 2023 edition moved on to register the highest partnership of IPL 2023 with Captain Faf Du Plessis. Both the batter together scored 172 runs for the first wicket in the chase of 187 runs in a must-win fixture. After winning the crucial fixture by massive eight wickets Virat was seen heaping praise on his batting partner, Plessis who made victory possible for RCB along with Kohli. Virat was also awarded ‘Player of the Match’ accolade for his match-winning ton.
Speaking about his special knock with Plessis, Kohli said that playing with Plessis was like playing with AB De Villiers with whom Virat shares a good rapport. Just like Villiers & Kohli’s partnerships, Villiers & Kohli used to register many match-winning partnerships with AB De Villiers. Kohli also mentioned that both players had great game awareness & they knew how to move forward in the chase of 187 runs.
“Very similar to how AB and me batting together. There’s a good sense of where we are and how to take the game forward. It’s been a beautiful transition,” said Kohli.
Virat Kohli registered his first IPL Century of 2023 edition
Virat Kohli did the unexpected as he brought up his much-awaited century of the IPL 2023 edition. He scored 100 runs in 63 balls in an innings embellished with 12 fours & fours sixes. Meanwhile, Plessis complimented Kohli by amassing 71 runs off 47 balls. Both the batters smashed SRH bowlers all across the park & added 172 run-stand for the first wicket.
A 172-run stand for the first wicket is the highest partnership in IPL 2023. Notably, Virat-Plessis also sits in second place on the list with 148 runs in his kitty scored against Mumbai Indians. The third-highest partnership is shared between Shubman Gill & Sai Sudarshan who scored 147 run stand in their fixture against SRH. Later, Glenn Maxwell (5*) and Michael Bracewell (4*) scored the winning runs, as RCB defeated SRH by eight wickets.
My intent from Ball one was to go after the bowlers, said Virat Kohli
Highlighting more about his innings Virat Kohli revealed that he made a goal of going after SRH bowlers right from the beginning of their chase. He also said that he played some matches where he wasn’t able to hit the ball aptly the way he is was playing in the nets. Virat further said that he doesn’t like to play fancy shots & instead like to play impactful shots for RCB.
“I had a quiet couple of games and wasn’t hitting as well in the game as I was in the nets,” Kohli said.
“My intent from ball 1 was to go after the bowlers. There was a dip but I wanted to take it up in the right time. Happy that it all came together nicely. I never look at my numbers. I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes for playing impact knocks. I take pride to play the situation. I don’t play fancy shots,” he added.
RCB defeated SRH by 8 wickets to keep their playoff hopes alive
RCB found themselves in the dire situation of winning this fixture & they actually did that by defeating SRH by 8 wickets. Earlier batting first, SRH didn’t got off to a good start as they lost early wickets of their openers. But then came a respite for Hyderabad with Klaasen playing a blistering knock of 104 runs off 51 balls. His blistering knock helped SRH to end their innings at 186 runs in the alotted 20 overs.
In reply, Virat Kohli & Du Plessis led the fightback by stitching a blistering 172-run stand for the first wicket. Virat spearheaded the chase by scoring 100 runs off 43 balls. He got valuable support from Plessis who scored 71 runs off 47 balls. The duo anchored RCB innings & helped their side to cross 170 run mark in 18 overs. Later Glenn Maxwell (5) & Bracewell (4) took RCB over the line in 19.2 overs.
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