“He was offering me advice on how to play spin” – Will Jacks on his collaboration with the “phenomenal” Virat Kohli

Will Jacks, the centurion, led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the fastest successful chase of a 200-plus mark in Indian Premier League history after a nervous start. He finished with eight boundaries in his final ten balls.

Jacks, who scored a century off of 41 balls, disclosed how senior partner Virat Kohli, who faced Rashid Khan during the powerplay and offered advice on countering spin, got him through the first half of his inning.

“We had discussed Virat’s good intentions, and he kind of got me through my first fifteen balls when I was struggling. Jacks told RCB colleague Cameron Green on the IPL website, “That was really good from him and he was keeping us ahead.”

He was instructing me on how to play spin. To my relief, he claimed to be able to take down Rashid and to be reading him well. I learned a lot from him and I consider myself fortunate to have had that kind of partnership. He is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to bat with.

“I was a little anxious, but it felt good to score one, and after that, our confidence returned, and we tried to gain the upper hand in the match. And the final two overs were all for enjoyment. Virat was telling them to simply keep going, not to stop. I never gave the hundred any thought until I looked up. I am on 88, and there’s always seven to win. Amazing innings to go from feeling like I couldn’t hit the ball to believing that I could,” Jacks remarked.

After back-to-back wins, the 25-year-old Englishman believes RCB has now gained significant momentum. “We have already won two straight after losing by one run. We have been gaining speed. We still have a shot. As demonstrated, we are capable. We take care of business and win all four; you never know when those might be the keys to winning the competition. You just kind of slip into fourth place there in excellent shape, and you never know,” Jacks remarked.

Will Jacks raced to a 41-ball century that thrilled his partner Kohli at the other end, hitting six sixes and two fours off the final ten deliveries he faced. “Your subsequent 50 in 10 balls, 31 (ball) 50, and 41 (ball) 100 are yours. It was your day at the golf course in the second half. The frustrated Kohli, who hit 70 off 44, told Jacks in the dressing room, “Thank God I didn’t smash it when I saw you were on 94 and with one to win.” I was upset that I didn’t smash the first one (in the 16th over) for six.

“After calling for two, Jacks turned to face me and saw I was ready for three. He then made the decision to hit every ball for six since he was no longer running. It was the key. Fantastic! “It was too hot!” Will Jacks responded to a joke that Kohli had made.

Hugely impressed by the hitting prowess on exhibit was Glenn Maxwell, who stayed padded up waiting for his time during the Jacks-Kohli extravaganza.

I’ve never felt happier than I do right now. I’ve never watched cricket with as much excitement as I do now. The fact that he is a big, chunky boy in the heat and that he fielded first and hit the world’s best spinner for several sixes together makes me the happiest I have been for a teammate in a long time. They ended up scoring 166 off 74, which is pretty damn good, Maxwell added.

Andy Flower, the head coach, and the birthday kid were both beaming due to their match-winning teamwork. “Hey guys, I really appreciate the gift. A wonderful birthday present. And as a cricketer—actually, an ex-cricketer—what a joy it is to witness Jack’s strength and Virat’s supreme class, coach Flower remarked.