Bangalore’s hopes remain as Kohli returned to form in the 67th match of TATA IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by 8 wickets in the match.
Kohli returned to form
Virat Kohli has scored a half-century earlier in the season, that too against Gujarat Titans. However, he looked lost in that innings of 58 off 53 balls. Today’s innings, however, is reminiscent of Kohli before losing form. In the run chase, he scored 73 off 54 balls, 2 sixes with 8 fours before he was dismissed 23 runs away from victory.
Hopes remain for RCB
Kohli’s innings, his 115-run opening stand with Faf du Plessis, was followed by Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 40 off 18 balls as Bengaluru beat Gujarat, sitting at the top of the table, by 8 wickets, with 8 balls to spare. To go to the play-offs, Bengaluru had to win this match. However, even after winning this match, the fate of Bengaluru is not in their own hands. With poor run rate at hand, they will have to expect Delhi Capitals’ loss to Mumbai Indians. However, after Bengaluru won today’s match, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad were also dropped off the play-offs. Gujarat have already secured the play-offs, ensuring that they are at the top of the table.
A solid start with the Kohli-du Plessis duo
Batting on a target of 169 at the Wankhede, Bangalore got off to a solid start with the Kohli-du Plessis duo. Kohli, however, got a touch of luck today when Rashid Khan dropped his catch off Pandya for 16 runs. Kohli completed his half-century by hitting Rashid for a six through mid-wicket off the 33rd ball of the match. That was Kohli’s first six against Rashid in T20Is. Kohli, who was in rhythm, played some great shots. Du Plessis was only doing the work of accompanying.
Maxwell storm
Their partnership was broken in the 15th over, with du Plessis returning for 44 off 38 balls. Of course, Bangalore did not have a problem with the batting of Glenn Maxwell, who started storming right from the start. It was Rashid who dismissed Kohli. Kohli was stumped as he came down to the ground after scoring 73 off 54 balls. However, the victory was almost certain for them by then. Maxwell remained unbeaten on 40 off 18 balls.
Gujarat stumbled and fell behind in the powerplay
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Wriddhiman Saha made a quick start for Gujarat with 14 runs in Siddarth Kaul ‘s first over. However, when Shubman Gill returned in the third over, Gujarat stumbled first – Glenn Maxwell took a brilliant catch at slip off Josh Hazlewood. In the fifth over, Matthew Wade scored 15 runs, but he returned off maxwell in the last over of the powerplay. Gujarat scored 38 runs in the first 6 overs.
Fourth wicket partnership put on 61 runs
Wriddhiman Saha, who scored 31 off 22 balls, was run out in the ninth over. Hardik Pandya’s fourth wicket partnership with David Miller put on 61 off 47 balls. Miller, who scored 34 off 25 balls, broke the partnership when he gave a return catch to Wanindu Hasaranga.
Captain’s knock by Hardik Pandya
Rahul Tewatia failed to contribute, Gujarat’s score was 134 even after 18 overs. From there on they took a big leap, thanks to Rashid Khan’s 19 off 6 balls. Pandya remained unbeaten till the end scoring 62 off 47 balls. In the innings, the Gujarat captain hit 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Watch Call of Duty Modern Warfare gameplay.