Virat Kohli (PC: X)
Leading the charge for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli once again showcased his prowess in an eye-catching batting show against the Punjab Kings. At the picturesque stadium in Dharamsala, Kohli’s knock was a testament to his enduring brilliance and unmatched consistency in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
From the outset, Kohli set the tone for RCB’s innings, capitalising on the invitation to bat first from Punjab Kings’ stand-in skipper Sam Curran. Demonstrating his trademark risk-free style of accumulation, Kohli was all class after initial challenges, including a dropped catch on nought. A few mistimed hits landed in no man’s land. After that, on way to a fifth half-century in IPL 2024, Kohli played an innings of elegance, power and flair.
Breaking down his performance, Kohli reached his half-century off 32 deliveries. Throughout his innings, the former RCB skipper maintained a remarkable strike rate, accelerating the team’s scoring momentum with every stroke, especially once the Powerplay was over.
As the innings progressed, Kohli’s dominance became more pronounced. He surged to 68 off 36 balls within 15 overs. Displaying adaptability and aggression, he pushed his strike-rate close to 200, while nearing yet another milestone. However, the century was not to be and only for the second occasion in IPL history, Kohli was dismissed in the 90s.
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Virat Kohli for RCB (Image: IPL)
Though he fell short of a century, Kohli’s contribution remained pivotal, as he guided RCB to their fourth win on the bounce, keeping their faint playoff hopes alive. The strike-rate of 195.74 was his way of answering critics.
In this innings, Kohli’s full repertoire was on display, as he unleashed an array of shots, including six sixes and seven fours. Interestingly, the maestro brought out the slog-sweeps against spinners, which has been a rarity in the last decade. Surpassing the 1,000-run mark against PBKS in IPL clashes, Kohli reaffirmed his status as one of the most prolific run-scorers. He is just the second Indian batter with 400-plus T20 sixes, joining Rohit Sharma (506) in the list.
Kohli’s footwork and shot selection was exemplary, as he found boundaries with precision through various parts of the field. Despite facing a limited number of deliveries (14) in the Powerplay, Kohli’s strike-rate continued to soar, showcasing his ability to accelerate when needed.
As the masterpiece continued, his partnership with Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green proved instrumental in consolidating RCB’s position. Despite falling short of a century, Kohli left an indelible mark, earning accolades for his masterful display from pundits and fans.
Also Read: Kohli stars in RCB win, PBKS out of playoff race
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Leading the charge for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli once again showcased his prowess in an eye-catching batting show against the Punjab Kings. At the picturesque stadium in…
