Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli played a vintage knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), to help his team win by 8 wickets and stay in contention for a playoffs spot. RCB moved to fourth on the points table, while SRH remained last after the defeat at home.
RCB chased down the 187-run target with four balls to spare as Kohli scored exactly 100, his sixth hundred in the IPL to equal Chris Gayle's record. He was well supported by RCB captain Faf du Plessis, who made 71. Earlier, Heinrich Klaasen played a brilliant knock of 104 to help SRH post 186/5 on the board, but it wasn't enough in the end.
Kohli expectedly won the Player-of-the-Match award for his 63-ball 100 which included 12 fours and 4 sixes. He has scored 538 runs now in the ongoing season with 1 hundred and 6 fifties.
Speaking to the broadcasters during the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli said, “Quite special considering the magnitude of the game. Thought SRH got a very good score. Ball was gripping as well. We wanted a good solid start. Didn't expect to be 172/0. But that's how well Faf and me have played this season. Faf's been on a different level,”
“I've had a quiet couple of games. The way I was hitting in the nets wasn't transitioning into the middle in the last 2-3 matches. Wanted to make an impact and my intent was to go after the bowlers from ball 1 - something I've done through the season. There was a dip but I wanted to pick my game up at the right time. Never look at past records (not great numbers against SRH),” he added.
Kohli then reflected on the criticism he faces at times in the IPL, particularly for his strike-rate, he provided an elaborated answer for the question.
“Was telling the boys - the way I'm looked at as an IPL player as well is like 'yeah, he's fine, few impact knocks'. It's my 6th IPL hundred. I don't give myself enough credit sometimes because I put myself under so much stress already. I don't care what anyone says on the outside. That's their opinion. When you're in that situation yourself, you know how to win games of cricket. I've done that over a long period of time. It's not like when I play I don't win games for my team. It's playing the situation that I take pride in,”
“I've never been a guy who plays so many fancy shots - was having a chat with Aiden as well. We have to play 12 months of the year. For me it's not about playing fancy shots and throwing my wicket away. We've got Test cricket (coming up) after the IPL, have to stay true to my technique. When I can make an impact in an important game, it gives me confidence, it gives the team confidence,” he said.
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On his immensely successful partnership with Faf du Plessis at the top, Kohli jokingly credited the love for tattoos both players have in common.
“I think it's the tattoos (secret behind partnership with Faf). We almost have 900 runs together this season. Very similar how I used to feel with AB and me batting together. Just an understanding of where the game is going and what needs to be done. Having an experienced guy who's captained at the international level - it's been a beautiful transition for us coming together for RCB at the top and making an impact,”
Lastly, Kohli spoke on the support he and RCB received in Hyderabad from the local crowd, which at times even over-shadowed the support SRH got.
“Crowd here was amazing today as well. Told Faf as well. Just felt like it was a home game for us. They were cheering for us, taking my name as well. I feel you can't create this. I haven't forced anyone to follow me or be inspired by me. I'm just myself on the field. I do everything on the field very honestly and I think that resonates with people. It's an amazing position to be in that you can provide happiness to so many people. That's something I love to see when they have a smile on their face when I perform.” Kohli signed off.
(With Cricbuzz inputs)
