Image Source: IPL
[Saba Sports News] Star India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman continued his outstanding performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024), securing his second consecutive half-century of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The RCB opener showcased a brilliant innings, scoring an unbeaten 83* (59) with the help of four fours and as many sixes.
Throughout his innings, Kohli exhibited a wide range of strokes, sending KKR bowlers to all parts of the ground. In the third over of the innings, he showcased his trademark flick, launching Mitchell Starc deep into the stands over deep mid-wicket. Kohli further displayed his impeccable wristwork by dispatching a full delivery aimed at his pads into the stands on the second ball of the over.
During his innings, Kohli also surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for the most number of sixes for RCB in IPL, reaching a total of 241 maximums. Additionally, he ascended to the top of the list of leading run-scorers, accumulating 181 runs from three innings at an average of 90.5 and a strike rate of 141.4, with two half-centuries. Apart from Kohli, Cameron Green (33 off 21), Glenn Maxwell (28 off 19), and Dinesh Karthik (20 off 8) also made significant contributions to RCB’s innings against KKR, helping their team reach 182/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
However, the total proved insufficient for the hosts to secure a victory, as KKR’s batsmen dominated RCB’s bowlers, chasing down the target in just 16.5 overs and winning the match by seven wickets. The visitors enjoyed a strong start, with openers Phil Salt (30 off 20) and Sunil Narine (47 off 22) adding 86 runs for the first wicket off just 39 balls.
Following the dismissals of Salt and Narine, Venkatesh Iyer (50 off 30) and captain Shreyas Iyer (39* off 24) continued the onslaught, comfortably guiding their side to victory. With this win, KKR climbed to the second spot on the points table, accruing four points, while RCB sits in sixth place with one win from three matches, totaling two points.