Virat Kohli reached several significant milestones as he notched up his record-extending eighth IPL century for Royal Challengers Bangalore, achieving this feat against Rajasthan Royals on Friday. His unbeaten 113* also marked his joint-highest individual score in the league. Alongside these accomplishments, Kohli surpassed another landmark – albeit a forgettable one.
His century was compiled in 67 balls, equalling the joint-slowest IPL ton with Manish Pandey, who also achieved this feat in 67 balls for RCB against Deccan Chargers back in 2009.
Reflecting on his innings, Kohli mentioned that opposition bowlers often expect him to go all out every time he steps onto the field. However, he prefers adapting to match conditions without adhering to any predetermined strategy, as he demonstrated in his unbeaten century against Rajasthan Royals.
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Despite Kohli’s composed 113 not out off 72 balls, RCB only managed to set a target of 183 for 3, as none of the batters, including Kohli, could accelerate the scoring on a challenging track where the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin posed formidable challenges.
Kohli remarked on the deceptive nature of the pitch, stating that it appeared flat from the outside but had the ball holding up, causing variations in pace.
Defending the strategy of not aggressively taking on the bowlers from the outset, Kohli emphasized the importance of one of the batsmen batting till the end, considering the conditions. He acknowledged the necessity of keeping the opposition guessing while maintaining a balanced approach.
Expressing his experience and maturity in playing according to the conditions, Kohli highlighted the challenges posed by the dew and the rough, dry surface for the batters.
Kohli also elaborated on the difficulty of facing Chahal and Ashwin, admitting his struggles against the latter’s carrom ball. He adjusted his approach accordingly, targeting straight down the ground when needed.
Overall, Kohli’s innings showcased his adaptability and strategic acumen, even in the face of challenging conditions and formidable bowling attacks.
