Virat Kohli played well with the bat for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024 match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday (April 6).
The batsman with the right-hand grip seemed strong. He was not out at 113 runs off 72 deliveries. His strike rate was 156.94, including four sixes and twelve fours. This marked his eighth century, the highest in the tournament so far. During his innings, Kohli also became the very first player to score over 7500 total runs in the lucrative IPL competition.
Virat Kohli teamed up with the skipper Faf du Plessis for a 125-run partnership for the second wicket. His batting performance helped RCB achieve a total of 183/3 from their allotted 20 overs versus the Royals side.
Watch highlights from Kohli’s innings:
Currently, Virat Kohli leads IPL 2024’s run-scorers with 316 runs from five innings. An unbeaten 83 against Kolkata Knight Riders and 77 versus Punjab Kings contributed heavily. Kohli aims to sustain this stellar form.
The veteran batter, aged 35, now looks ahead to the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Hosted jointly by the USA and West Indies, this marquee event beckons.
“I feel this total is effective on this pitch” – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has encouraged the bowling unit to produce as RCB set a 184-run target for RR, who have won three consecutive games. He said during the mid-match show:
“I feel this total is effective on this pitch. I am not coming in with any premeditation. I knew I couldn’t got over aggressive, just that I had to keep the bowlers guessing.
“It’s just experience and maturity of playing the conditions. Even if there’s dew, the surface is rough and dry, won’t be easy for the batters.”
Virat Kohli
When asked about his innings, Kohli described it as a challenging pitch and stated that he had to play until the end, especially after Faf du Plessis was gone.
“The wicket looks quite different from the outside. It feels like it’s flat, but the ball is holding up in the pitch, that’s when you realise the pace changes it. One of us (Virat or Faf) had to bat till the end.
“I couldn’t get under the ball against Ashwin. Couldn’t slog towards mid-wicket, so had to target straight down the ground.”
Virat Kohli
For those who are unfamiliar, RCB is coming off two consecutive losses and has only won one of their first four games. They will strive to return to winning ways.