Virat Kohli starred with the bat in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) comprehensive 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (April 15).
Opening the innings, Kohli scored 50 off 34 balls as RCB posted 174/6 on the board. His knock was studded with 6 fours and 1 six. Apart from Virat, none of the RCB batters could score big as the team kept losing wickets at crucial junctures against a disciplined DC bowling attack.
Defending the total, however, RCB bowlers did well as a unit. Vijaykumar Vyshak (3-20), Mohammed Siraj (2-23), and Wayne Parnell (1-28) returned with economical spells and shared six scalps among them to restrict the Capitals to 151/9.
Speaking after the game, Kohli first commented on the catch he took of Mitchell Marsh, it was a tricky chance but he made sure there was no one close to him.
"It was a tricky one. When it went up in the air, I made sure there was no one close to me. I made sure I grabbed it solidly," said Kohli at the post-match presentation.
Talking about his innings, the star batter said he has been playing really well this season and was disappointed to have got out to a full toss.
"I was quite disappointed that I got out to a full toss. I've been playing really well. One thing I mentioned to the guys in the change room that 175 was enough on this pitch. It slowed down considerably. We did well to get to that score and had the belief it was enough," Kohli stated.
The former RCB skipper said whenever he played his best cricket he would consistently put away good balls and that would put pressure back on the bowlers.
"When I've played my best cricket, those are the balls I've put away consistently. When I put away their best balls, it puts pressure on the bowlers. We kind of let it slip away last two games. That was a different mentality and phase altogether (T20 World Cup 2016 semis). I back myself to hit good shots. When they come off they look good," said Kohli.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will next face Chennai Super Kings at Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 17.
