194/4 (19.1)
CR : 10.12
192/4 (20.0)
CR : 9.60
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Virat Kohli
105(60)*
Super Striker of the Match: Virat Kohli (SR: 175)
Most Sixes in the Match: Virat Kohli (3 sixes) [Raghuvanshi also smashed 3 sixes but Kohli scored more runs than him]
Most Fours in the Match: Virat Kohli (11 Fours)
Most Dot Balls in the Match: Kartik Tyagi (11 dots)
Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain): (How's the head after that blow?) "I’m okay. It was a proper headshot, but I’m fine now.
(On being at the top of the points table) Of course, it feels great. I think everyone in the team is coming in with a different stage and contributing to the team, which is a really good sign. Being at the top of the table is always good, but as I said, we are taking it one game at a time and one step at a time.
(On restricting KKR to 192 and the bowling performance) I was very satisfied, especially with the way we controlled the scoring after the first 10 overs. Before that, their run rate was around 10 or 11, so restricting them to around 194 (192 to be precise), or something from there, was a very good effort from us.
(On using only five bowlers) Yes, that combination was mainly based on the conditions. In the last game on the same surface, there was some variable bounce, and the wicket was two-paced, so that’s why we decided to go with four seamers.
(On Virat Kohli’s ninth IPL hundred) It was a great innings. I think, I don't know words, but I think he's used to doing great things.
(On the remaining away games) So far, we’ve played good cricket. There are still two league games left, and we are taking things one match at a time. Now we travel to Dharamsala, which is a good batting wicket, and we’ll try our best to win there before heading to Hyderabad.
(On Phil Salt’s availability) I don't know, but I think he will come soon."
(On being at the top of the points table) Of course, it feels great. I think everyone in the team is coming in with a different stage and contributing to the team, which is a really good sign. Being at the top of the table is always good, but as I said, we are taking it one game at a time and one step at a time.
(On restricting KKR to 192 and the bowling performance) I was very satisfied, especially with the way we controlled the scoring after the first 10 overs. Before that, their run rate was around 10 or 11, so restricting them to around 194 (192 to be precise), or something from there, was a very good effort from us.
(On using only five bowlers) Yes, that combination was mainly based on the conditions. In the last game on the same surface, there was some variable bounce, and the wicket was two-paced, so that’s why we decided to go with four seamers.
(On Virat Kohli’s ninth IPL hundred) It was a great innings. I think, I don't know words, but I think he's used to doing great things.
(On the remaining away games) So far, we’ve played good cricket. There are still two league games left, and we are taking things one match at a time. Now we travel to Dharamsala, which is a good batting wicket, and we’ll try our best to win there before heading to Hyderabad.
(On Phil Salt’s availability) I don't know, but I think he will come soon."
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (POTM): "(On his 9th IPL century) Well, the celebration wasn't a big one because we know the importance of the points right now. And yeah, look, for me, it's a conscious effort to try and contribute to the team's scores. And I know if I bat for long enough in the game, our chances of winning become higher. So the fact that I didn't get many runs in the last two games eats me up, because I know I can play well and I'm hitting the ball well. But then, when you don't carry on and you know, you haven't created the impact for the team, it bothers you because that's basically been the goal all these years, trying to improve so that you can be the best version for your team when you play out there and make an impact. So, yeah, century or no century, I think the more important thing is finishing the game, making sure that I was out there till the end to get those two points, which again, puts us at the top of the table.
(Did he feel any kind of pressure after bagging those two ducks in the last two games?) Well, there's a reason why people say pressure is a privilege. It actually keeps you humble, keeps you focused, and makes you work hard at practice again. You can't take things for granted. Butterflies in the stomach, good pressure always helps you to improve your game. So I was in the nets working harder, training harder, you tend to, when you're playing well, you can tend to kind of taper off a little bit with your intensity and focus. But I think a couple of games that don't go your way, you start feeling a bit of nervousness again. It helps you go out there and work on your game, and back yourself even more, which takes a lot of effort off you. But then I think you go a level up as a player, and then you keep improving your game little by little. And at the end of the day, when you look back, those failures are so important because they put you back into the place that gets you the performances in the first place, and it doesn't let you go off your intense best. So I think that's why people say pressure is a privilege. And of course, I was nervous. I just wanted to get off the mark and just celebrate and have a bit of fun there.
(Any particular aspect of tonight's knock pleased him the most?) Well, just my positions at the crease, you know, not trying to do anything extravagant, just backing my game, hitting a lot of fours, hitting gaps, being clear as to where I wanted to hit sixes, which length I wanted to hit sixes from, and just staying in the game, like running a lot of twos, hitting the boundaries where needed, picking length, hitting the gaps that I know I can hit. So I was happy for the fact that I was able to back my game and execute the shots that I usually execute to the best of my ability. And that gets me the most consistent, the most risk-free cricket, keeping the demands of the situation always in front of me and the team's need always at the top of my head. So all these factors were very pleasing for me out there.
(Fastest to 14,000 T20 runs; 279, most IPL matches and many more records. How does he feel about these?) Well, I just love batting, even after all this. That's my core feeling. Look, what an honour to be playing at this level. What an honour to be competing with the very best in the world still. This is all I've done all my life. Cricket is absolutely something that I truly love. And I just give my heart and soul out there on the field, whether I'm fielding or batting, because it's going to finish one day. And I want to make the most of every day that I'm on the field, just enjoy myself, have a lot of fun, and look forward to pressure situations, to scenarios where I'm feeling a bit of heat. And then I challenge myself to say, you know what, just go for it. And when you cross the line, it makes you a better player. And sport, as you know, teaches you a lot as a person as well. So you build your character slowly and surely when you keep performing under pressure. And for me, even after all these years and numbers and whatever you said, it's still the love for the game. I just love hitting the ball in the middle of the bat. And that joy is still there. And it's all God's grace. And I'm very thankful and grateful."
(Did he feel any kind of pressure after bagging those two ducks in the last two games?) Well, there's a reason why people say pressure is a privilege. It actually keeps you humble, keeps you focused, and makes you work hard at practice again. You can't take things for granted. Butterflies in the stomach, good pressure always helps you to improve your game. So I was in the nets working harder, training harder, you tend to, when you're playing well, you can tend to kind of taper off a little bit with your intensity and focus. But I think a couple of games that don't go your way, you start feeling a bit of nervousness again. It helps you go out there and work on your game, and back yourself even more, which takes a lot of effort off you. But then I think you go a level up as a player, and then you keep improving your game little by little. And at the end of the day, when you look back, those failures are so important because they put you back into the place that gets you the performances in the first place, and it doesn't let you go off your intense best. So I think that's why people say pressure is a privilege. And of course, I was nervous. I just wanted to get off the mark and just celebrate and have a bit of fun there.
(Any particular aspect of tonight's knock pleased him the most?) Well, just my positions at the crease, you know, not trying to do anything extravagant, just backing my game, hitting a lot of fours, hitting gaps, being clear as to where I wanted to hit sixes, which length I wanted to hit sixes from, and just staying in the game, like running a lot of twos, hitting the boundaries where needed, picking length, hitting the gaps that I know I can hit. So I was happy for the fact that I was able to back my game and execute the shots that I usually execute to the best of my ability. And that gets me the most consistent, the most risk-free cricket, keeping the demands of the situation always in front of me and the team's need always at the top of my head. So all these factors were very pleasing for me out there.
(Fastest to 14,000 T20 runs; 279, most IPL matches and many more records. How does he feel about these?) Well, I just love batting, even after all this. That's my core feeling. Look, what an honour to be playing at this level. What an honour to be competing with the very best in the world still. This is all I've done all my life. Cricket is absolutely something that I truly love. And I just give my heart and soul out there on the field, whether I'm fielding or batting, because it's going to finish one day. And I want to make the most of every day that I'm on the field, just enjoy myself, have a lot of fun, and look forward to pressure situations, to scenarios where I'm feeling a bit of heat. And then I challenge myself to say, you know what, just go for it. And when you cross the line, it makes you a better player. And sport, as you know, teaches you a lot as a person as well. So you build your character slowly and surely when you keep performing under pressure. And for me, even after all these years and numbers and whatever you said, it's still the love for the game. I just love hitting the ball in the middle of the bat. And that joy is still there. And it's all God's grace. And I'm very thankful and grateful."
Most Player of the Match Awards in IPL
25 - AB de Villiers
22 - Chris Gayle
21 - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli*
18 - MS Dhoni, David Warner
25 - AB de Villiers
22 - Chris Gayle
21 - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli*
18 - MS Dhoni, David Warner
Virat Kohli and run chases — a love story that just keeps delivering! The fans in Raipur got their money’s worth as Kohli brought up his 9th IPL hundred, crossed the 14,000 T20 runs milestone and most importantly, guided his side home in a crucial encounter. That’s RCB’s 8th win of the season and they climb to the top of the points table.
For KKR, it’s a massive setback. Coming in on a four-match winning streak and needing to win all their remaining games, this defeat could prove costly.
Up next, we head to Dharamsala tomorrow where Punjab Kings take on Mumbai Indians — a huge clash for PBKS, who are on a four-match losing run.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Ajay Pal Singh, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat, Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav, who brought you all the updates from this game. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
For KKR, it’s a massive setback. Coming in on a four-match winning streak and needing to win all their remaining games, this defeat could prove costly.
Up next, we head to Dharamsala tomorrow where Punjab Kings take on Mumbai Indians — a huge clash for PBKS, who are on a four-match losing run.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Ajay Pal Singh, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat, Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav, who brought you all the updates from this game. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋