Former Australia captain Aaron Finch opined on the fact that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got knocked out of IPL 2023 despite coming so close and it would have really hurt Virat Kohli. Kohli, who smashed a stunning hundred in a must-win match, looked numb for a few seconds before tossing a water bottle on the ground after Shubman Gill sealed the deal with a stunning six for Gujarat Titans and reached the hundred as well. Moreover, Siraj could be seen lying motionless on the ground before being helped up by a teammate.

“Yeah absolutely (positive for the next season). He is one of the one of the best players to have ever played the game. For a guy to be able to dominate the three formats of the game like he has for so long shows how much class he has got, his work ethic and how much love he has got for the game. And you can see from his game, how much love he has got for RCB,” Aaron Finch told Star Sports.

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However, Shubman Gill’s second century of the season overshadowed Virat Kohli’s hundred and hurt RCB too by finishing their journey in the IPL 2023. After Mumbai Indians beat Sunrisers Hyderabad to increase their lead to 16 points, RCB needed a win to overtake Mumbai Indians and secure a playoff spot as well, but Gill’s unbeaten 104 off 52 balls with 5 fours and 8 sixes helped Gujarat Titans finish with 10 wins and 20 points as well.

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“So that would have really hurt him today, to be so close again and couldn’t get over the line. Every time, it seems to be the case, they just escape into the finals (playoffs) or just fall short of it. They very rarely get blown away in a tournament. Too much reliance on Virat Kohli. A couple of injuries in the backend, Hasaranga and Hazlewood, that did not help there,” Aaron Finch concluded.