With RR closing in on an easy win, a helpless Virat Kohli covered his face in frustration.© X (Twitter)
Virat Kohli scored a record-extending eighth century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, but the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR). Kohli scored his IPL joint career-best 113 not out, but Jos Buttler‘s quickfire 100 helped RR trump RCB, who suffered their fourth defeat in five games. Chasing 184 to win, RR lost Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second ball of their innings as Reece Topley struck early for RCB in Jaipur.
After some brilliant bowling in the first five overs of the powerplay, Buttler carted Mayank Dagar for 20+ runs in the final one to put RR back in the hunt.
He and Sanju Samson put on 148 runs for the second wicket, with the RR skipper scoring a brisk 69. With RR closing in on an easy win, a helpless Kohli covered his face in frustration.
— The Game Changer (@TheGame_26) April 7, 2024
— The Game Changer (@TheGame_26) April 7, 2024
Buttler completed his century with a six when RR needed just one run from five balls.
Recapping RCB’s innings, Kohli hit his third fifty-plus score of this season as he put on an opening stand of 125 with skipper Faf du Plessis, who hit 44, to lay the foundations for the total.
Kohli reached his half-century off 39 balls with a six, hitting Riyan Parag down the ground.
Du Plessis fell to Yuzvendra Chahal as he gave a catch to long-on. Burger soon bowled Glenn Maxwell for one to check the surge.
Kohli stood firm and hit back as he finished with 12 fours, including three in the final over, and four sixes in his 72-ball knock.
The former India captain consolidated his position at the top of this year’s batting chart with 316 runs in five matches.
Kohli is still awaiting his first IPL title with Bengaluru.
(With AFP Inputs)
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