The Royal Challengers Bangalore kicked off their IPL 2023 campaign with an eight-wicket victory in the RCB vs MI match on April 2nd. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli put on a splendid batting display, chasing down a 172-run target in just 16.2 overs. Earlier in the day, Mumbai failed to capitalize on a batting-friendly ground, managing 171 runs from 20/3 in the sixth over. The night was packed with exciting moments. Let’s look at 3 records that were broken during the RCB vs MI match:
1) Highest opening stand for RCB
The dazzling duo of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli put up a magnificent 148-run stand for the opening wicket in the RCB vs MI match. Du Plessis fell from the crease after making a stunning 73 runs off 43 balls, while Kohli stayed unbeaten till the very end, smashing 82 runs! This impressive opening partnership broke the previous record held by Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal since the 2011 IPL season when they scored 113 runs together.
2) Kohli went ahead of Rohit Sharma on an elite list
Last night in RCB vs MI match, Virat Kohli smashed an impressive 82 runs off 49 balls at a strike rate of 167.34, clinching him the top spot among Indian batters with the highest number of half-centuries at a strike rate of 150+. His remarkable achievement propelled him to 23 such innings – one more than Rohit Sharma’s 22 innings with a strike rate of 150+ in the Indian Premier League.
3) Faf achieved a unique record against the MI skipper
Faf du Plessis has achieved an impressive feat – winning his second IPL match as captain against Rohit Sharma, the most successful skipper (in terms of trophies won). By doing so, du Plessis has become the first overseas captain in IPL history to have registered two wins against Rohit without any losses. All other foreign captains who have won more than one game against Rohit have lost at least one game against him.