Former India player Harbhajan Singh has applauded Virat Kohli for playing a true T20-style knock in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2024 win against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on Thursday, May 9 as well. The RCB opener smashed 92 runs off 47 balls at an outstanding strike rate of 195.74 as well. His knock helped RCB post a 242-run target and later restrict PBKS to 181 to register an emphatic 60-run win as well.

Speaking on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh said, “He was very lucky. He was dropped on zero and it proved so expensive. If you repeatedly give chances to such a player, he won’t spare you. What a knock it was – 92 runs off 47 balls. He played the T20 format in the true sense today. It was destructive batting. He already had the Orange Cap and his strike rate this season has been much better than earlier and today he gladdened our hearts. He showed how the intent can be maintained after the powerplay.”

Virat Kohli hit seven fours and six sixes during his innings. He was dropped by Ashutosh Sharma and Rilee Rossouw on zero and 10
respectively, which eventually cost PBKS the game.

“When you score 92 runs off 47 balls, you go at nearly two runs per ball, which Navjot Sidhu talks about. You need that in this format. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are at a different level – they are scoring three to four runs per ball, but Kohli played cricketing shots one after the other. He manufactured every shot,” he shared.

“He used his feet because the ball wasn’t coming onto the bat slightly. When the pace reduces, he runs forward, and then he played big shots against spinners while standing in his position. He measured the midwicket area. He took three or four penalty corners (slog sweeps) and hit sixes. It was enjoyable to watch him bat,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.