Virat Kohli’s scintillating 92 off 47 balls and Rajat Patidar’s brisk half-century propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a formidable total of 241/7 against Punjab Kings in a rain-affected Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday.
Kohli, dropped twice early in his innings, made Punjab pay with his precise timing, footwork, and wrist action, reaching his sixth IPL fifty of the season. Patidar, who was also given two lifelines, delivered early impetus with a rapid 23-ball 55 that included six sixes and three fours.
Kohli and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls) continued the assault, adding 92 runs off 46 balls, propelling RCB past the 200-run mark. Green’s knock featured five boundaries and one six before he was dismissed on the final delivery of the innings, as RCB scored 77 runs in the last five overs.
After his majestic knock, Kohli emphasized the importance of maintaining his strike rate throughout the innings. He acknowledged the tricky phase after Patidar’s dismissal and the rain interruption, but credited his partnership with Green for settling the team.
Kohli also praised the wicket, noting its two-paced nature and the skidding deliveries on the grassy patches. He expressed confidence in his bowlers’ ability to make early inroads, given their recent successes.
However, cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar delivered a strong rebuke to Kohli for his reaction to analysts and commentators who questioned his scoring rate before India’s T20 World Cup squad was announced. Gavaskar criticized Kohli’s outburst and the broadcaster for repeatedly showing the clip.
Kohli had pushed back against the ongoing discussion about his strike rate against spin during the middle overs, asserting that he understands his own game better than his critics do.
