Virat Kohli delivered a classic batting display to preserve Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) playoff aspirations in a match that both teams had to win at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Sam Curran, the captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), put RCB in to bat first. Kohli’s outstanding innings of 92 off 47 balls helped RCB to 241/7. Kohli was given a couple of lifelines by the fielders, but the Bengaluru opener made the hosts pay dearly for their missed chances, ultimately contributing significantly to his team’s 60-run victory in Dharamsala.
In their quest for a postseason berth, the game was extremely important to both RCB and PBKS. It essentially meant elimination from the competition for the losing team. RCB had wanted to get back into the picture with three straight victories coming into this game after a dismal first half of the season.
The all-rounder Cameron Green of the RCB was full of compliments for Virat Kohli’s remark.
He performed like the iconic Virat that we all know. The view from the other end was stunning. As an opponent, you can’t give Virat that many opportunities, which is the beauty of having him on your squad, Green stated in the news conference following the game.
Dropped without striking the ball, Kohli made full use of the reprieve. Kohli kept up his assault, reaching his sixth fifty of the year, even as wickets tumbled at the other end. In order to push RCB over 200 runs, he found Green (46 off 27) at the other end. Together, they accumulated 92 runs for the fourth wicket.
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“He will always hurt you, especially if you drop him three or four times.” He was attempting to be aggressive early in his innings. “I believe that following a few missed catches, he appeared to have little left to lose,” continued Green.
PBKS openers Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw got off to a fast start in the chase. However, the innings lost steam as they left in rapid succession. Even with a few cameos, PBKS was bowled out for 181 in 17 overs as the relentlessly rising asking rate proved to be too much.
RCB’s chances of making the playoffs are maintained with the victory, even though they still need to win their final two games against the Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The Sam Curran-led club will play its final league stage games for dignity as PBKS becomes the second team eliminated from the 2024 edition after the Mumbai Indians.