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[WATCH] When A Young Virat Kohli Bashed CSK Legend Muthiah Muralidaran In IPL

image-lqc2dzihVirat Kohli launching Muthiah Muralidaran for a six in IPL 2009 (AP)

One of the modern-day greats of the game, Virat Kohli did encounter some of the legends of his yesteryears, especially during his initial days in competitive cricket. While the Indian batting icon has toppled many great bowlers from the past decade-and-a-half, he once got the better of all-time legend Muthiah Muralidaran back during his second appearance for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL.

When a young Virat Kohli belted Muralidaran

Turning up for RCB in the second semifinal of IPL 2009 at Johannesburg, a 20-year-old Virat Kohli arrived to the crease amidst a tense run-chase against CSK’s seasoned bowling attack.

Emboldened by rapid 40s from Rahul Dravid and Manish Pandey at the top, Kohli pumped out 24 unbeaten runs off his own while encountering the likes of Albie Morkel and an in-form Muthiah Muralidaran at the twilight of the latter’s career.

At a time when the match was boiling towards a thrilling finish, Kohli eased things up by stepping down to Muralidaran for a huge six over the sight screen.

Kohli eventually finished his innings at an unbeaten 24 from 17 balls, and ensured that RCB got over the line with more than an over to spare. The cricketer tendered Muralidaran’s sublime middle-overs spell in vain as RCB knocked CSK out of the competition in the high-octane semifinal.

As it turned out, Kohli’s run-chase masterclass in Johannesburg at the time signaled his match-winning stature, as he went on to conquer the best of bowling attacks all over the world over the course of the next 14 years for Team India as well as for the RCB.