During the 29th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Bengaluru, Virat Kohli scored his 33rd IPL half-century to steer his team to a handsome total.
After Dinesh Karthik won the toss and chose to field, Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a considerably slow start. Having sent in an earlier used opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Brendon McCullum, Bangalore scored 40-0 in the powerplay.
Kohli came in to bat at No. 3 in the ninth over when de Kock (29) was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. In the next over, Bangalore was handed a double-blow as McCullum (38) and Manan Vohra (0) got out on consecutive balls. Kohli stood tall in such circumstances, staging a 65-run partnership with Mandeep Singh for the fourth wicket.
On the penultimate delivery of the 18th over, Kohli mis-timed a pull shot to deep midwicket to run a couple of runs to complete his 33rd IPL half-century. In which was a highly matured innings, he ended up scoring 68* (44) with the help of five fours and three sixes.
Watch how Twitterati reacted on Kohli’s masterly innings:
Virat Kohli's excellent innings has given #RCB a very competitive total. Now the bowlers will need to back up their captain. Two of them are playing their first game of the season. But this should be enough.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 29, 2018
Once again #RCB are batting and once again it is about where Kohli can take them. But this isn't that old 200+ pitch.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 29, 2018
The cover drive off Russell and the off drive off Johnson by Kohli are two of the best strokes I've seen this IPL: poise, balance, timing, placement all perfect. Master at work. @RCBTweets need him to bat thru! #ReinventYourGame #RCBvKKR
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 29, 2018
Turning out to be a masterclass knock by Kohli
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 29, 2018
Before they demolish you:
Others gives you warning
Virat Kohli plays cover drive
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/inkedvirat/status/990621365056212992
https://twitter.com/HashmeNabeel/status/990616974005817345
A Fantastic innings from #Kohli…Some incredible shots but dont think 175 will be enough…Especially with #Russell down the order for #KKR #IPL2018
— Shivam Gupta (@shivamgupta28) April 29, 2018
That shot through covers re-affirms why Kohli has fans all over the globe. #ipl
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMB/status/990620286566400000
https://twitter.com/Sajjanlaunda/status/990620050934583298
