King Kohli's Masterclass Overcomes Klaasen Special To Hand RCB Two Crucial Points
Virat Kohli drives through the covers [Image- IPLT20]
SunRisers Hyderabad: 186/5 in 20 overs [Heinrich Klaasen 104 (51), Harry Brook 27* (19); Mohammed Siraj 1/17 (4) Michael Bracewell 2/13 (2)] LOST to Royal Challengers Bangalore: 187/2 in 19.2 overs [Virat Kohli 100 (63), Faf du Plessis 71 (47); T Natarajan 1/34 (4) ] by 8 Wickets.
A vintage knock from Virat Kohli (100 off 63) and an equally brilliant knock from skipper Faf du Plessis has helped the Royal Challengers Bangalore gun down the target of 187 set by the SunRisers Hyderabad to keep their hopes of making it to the playoffs alive.
On a night when RCB desperately needed a victory, their most trusted lieutenant stepped up, painting the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with his audacious and arrogant strokeplay.
Kohli made his intentions very clear right from the outset as he drove and cut Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a couple of fours on the first two deliveries of the run-chase.
From there on, it was a case of Kohli just stamping his authority and reminding everyone of his vintage self as he went about smashing both pace and spin with ruthless disdain.
What made this knock special was his footwork against spin. He regularly made room and tried to hit the left-arm orthodox straight down the ground or through the covers.
Kohli got brilliant support from Du Plessis, who once again was ruthless in his approach against the pace bowlers.
The duo went on to add 95 runs in the first 10 overs before Virat completed his half-century (off 35) with a ruthless pull-shot off Glenn Phillips.
Du Plessis too got past the 50-mark, but the second half of their partnership was all about Virat flexing his muscles, and smashing the likes of Bhuvi and Natarajan through the covers and midwicket region.
Virat Kohli after scoring his 6th IPL ton [Image- IPLT20]
Kohli brought up his 6th IPL ton with a lofted flick over deep-wicket off his 62nd delivery, and while he was dismissed on the very delivery, he'd ensured that the game was done and dusted.
Du Plessis too perished soon for a 47-ball 71, but Glenn Maxwell (5* off 3) and Glenn Maxwell (4 off 4) ensured that they took RCB past the finishing line in the final over.
IPL 2023: Klaasen's masterclass powered SRH to 186/5
Heinrich Klaasen after scoring his maiden IPL ton [Image- IPLT20]
Earlier, a sensational debut IPL hundred from South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen helped the SunRisers Hyderabad to post 186/5 in 20 overs.
As has been the case with SRH throughout the season, their batting-unit was overwhelmingly carried by Klassen, who once again made the world notice his amazing talent, especially against spin.
Klaasen was ruthless against all types of spinners as well as pace, and it was his 51-ball 104 that ensured that SRH were able to post 186.
Apart from Klaasen, and to an extent, Harry Brook (27 off 19), none of the home side batter lived up to the promise, especially skipper Markram, who managed a painstaking 20-ball 18.
For RCB, Mohammed Siraj was once again the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 17 runs for 1 wicket in 4 overs, and he was well supported by Michael Bracewell, who took 2/13 in 2 overs before being strangely taken off.
Sadly for Klaasen, his knock was eventually overpowered by Kohli's masterclass.
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