Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon Virat Kohli reclaimed the IPL 2024 Orange Cap, awarded to the leading run-scorer of the tournament, on Friday. Kohli, who was nine run behind Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, hit a quickfire 42 off 27 balls during the match against Gujarat Titans (GT) to go top of the charts with 542 runs in 11 matches. Kohli hit two 4s and four 6s before being outfoxed by young GT spinner Noor Ahmad in the 11th over.
Noor bowled a googly which turned away as Kohli was trying to push it away for a single, inducing an outside edge which was gathered by Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.
Acknowledging Noor for his delivery, Kohli gave his signed matchworn jersey to the Afghanistan youngster after the match. Noor shared a picture of the same on his Instagram story.
“Always one of my fav,” Noor wrote on his story.
Coming back to the match, GT went three down for 19 inside six over before big-hitter Shahrukh Khan, who top-scored with 37, stood strong in a 61-run stand with David Miller, who hit 30 off 20 balls.
Left-handed Rahul Tewatia hit a 21-ball 35 and put on another key stand with Rashid Khan to steer GT to 147 all out.
Mohammed Siraj, who dismissed both GT openers, returned figures of 2-29 to be named man of the match but the pace bowler said he nearly missed the game after being “sick since last night”.
In reply, Faf du Plessis (64) and Kohli laid the foundations with a stand of 92 in 35 balls as the target was achieved with 6.2 overs to spare.
RCB, however, did suffer a mid-innings stumps as they were tottering at 117/6 one stage. Dinesh Karthik, who hit 21, and Swapnil Singh, who made 15, made sure there was no more drama in the end.
(With AFP Inputs)
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