On Sunday, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pitcher Virat Kohli tried everything he could to get his team into the IPL 2023 Playoffs, but it wasn’t enough. Kohli set a new record by scoring his seventh century in the T20 competition. However, Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill’s second century in a row enabled the defending champions beat RCB by six wickets in their last season encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, preventing the local team from qualifying the playoffs.
Since RCB’s defeat, the Mumbai Indians, who defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier in the day, have become the fourth side to enter the competition, following GT, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants. After scoring a stunning 101 off 61 balls with 13 fours and one six to help RCB reach 197 for 5, Kohli had tears in his eyes at the end of the game. Gill then hammered 104 off 52 balls to win the game by five balls.
However, after breaking former West Indies player Chris Gayle’s IPL record for most hundreds, Kohli stated that he is back to his best in T20 cricket. “Yeah, I felt fantastic. Many people believe that my T20 cricket is deteriorating, but I disagree. I believe I’m back to my best in Twenty20 cricket. I’m having a good time, and this is how I approach T20 cricket. During the batting break, Kohli informed former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri, “I try to hit gaps, a lot of boundaries, and the big ones at the end if I can.”
“I’ve previously discussed strike rates and other such topics… You must read the circumstance and respond appropriately. That’s something I’m very proud of, and it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time. “Right now, I’m feeling really good about my game and how I’m batting out there in the middle,” Kohli explained.
Gill, who scored his second IPL century, explained that the key was to make tiny smashes into “big ones.” “The key is to start small and grow it into a big one.” I’m glad it all worked out in the end. It is critical that you continue to attempt. The fresh ball had become lodged. The dew was getting on the ball. In my perspective, Vijay Shankar appeared to be trying too hard. He went a long way once he got moving. I understand how to play my game. Any player must be aware of their identity. At the post-game presentation, Gill stated, “I think we have a great bowling attack for that (Chennai) wicket.”
Gill and GT will now face MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
