As the team’s mainstay for many years, Virat Kohli has further cemented his status as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) undeniable messiah in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. According to the late great Anil Kumble, Indian supporters will be hoping that the former captain of their country can maintain this form in the T20 World Cup 2024, which takes place next month.
On Thursday, May 9, after being assigned to bat first, Kohli made a magnificent 92 off 47 balls to help his team achieve an overwhelming 241/7. In response, the RCB won their fourth straight game at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, when the Kings were bowled out for 181. With his brilliant effort, Kohli increased his season total of runs scored to 634 in 12 games, averaging 70.44 and striking at a rate of 153.51. This season, the batter from Delhi has amassed one century and five half-centuries.
Former India leg-spinner Kumble praised Kohli’s drive for success and added that Indian fans would be hoping that he maintains his current form in the upcoming ICC event, which the West Indies and the USA will co-host from June 2 to June 29.
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Indeed, without a doubt. He’s been playing excellently. After taking a little rest before the IPL, he has been unrelenting in his quest for greatness ever since. You were able to observe that. Considering that he leads the table with 634 runs, I have no doubt that the Royals would want him to win the next two matches in order to potentially qualify. Kumble remarked to Jio Cinema, “But, you know, you would want this form to continue in the World Cup as well, for India’s sake.”
Virat Kohli saw to it that Rilee Rossouw received the exact same information back from him: Shane Watson
For Punjab, Rilee Rossouw top-scored with 61 off 27 balls, keeping his team in the chase for runs. The South African hitter let loose a rifle celebration upon reaching his 50th birthday. Kohli imitated the celebration following Karn Sharma’s dismissal of Rossouw, so this didn’t escape his notice.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said that Kohli enjoys every second of the match and believed he was trying to make a lighthearted joke about Rossouw’s dismissal.
“He gives his all in every minute of every game, and Rossouw never showed anything close to that. And he saw to it that Rossouw received the exact same information from him. Furthermore, it was a crucial moment. Kohli plays every ball in every game, and he never misses anything. And he most definitely wasn’t absent from Rossouw’s 50th birthday celebration,” Watson remarked.
Along with dismissing the dangerous Shashank Singh for 37 off 19 balls, Kohli produced an incredible run-out. After winning their fourth straight game, RCB now has 10 points from 12 games. They still have two games left, on May 12 against the Delhi Capitals and on May 18 against the Chennai Super Kings, and they would need to win both of those to have any chance of making the playoffs.
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